Biomimetic approaches for patients with dental anxiety
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of Minimally Invasive Dentistry on patients with dental anxiety.
IRAS ID
291602
Contact name
Aylin Baysan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary, University of London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Dental anxiety is common condition which affects 10 to 20 percent of the adult population. It has been noted to impact dental attendance and dental treatment eventually impacting oral health. Individuals with high levels of dental anxiety often avoid regular dental treatment and seek care only when they are in pain which develops. In addition, when dental needs become severe requiring more extensive treatments which are more invasive, patients with dental anxiety find challenging to attend these invasive treatments. Therefore, patients enter a vicious cycle resulting in reduced quality of life. This is also impacting the NHS by draining its resources to symptomatic treatment rather than providing holistic approach with regular maintenance care. Last year, more than £36m was spent on emergency dental care.
Some patients who are dentally phobic may also require sedation services which adds to the increased costs to the NHS. Since 2012, over £165m was spent on sedation clinics by the NHS.
Minimally invasive dentistry includes early diagnosis, prevention, and control. When treatment is required, minimally invasive treatment and regular recall with reviews/maintenance are the paramount of this concept. The ultimate aim is to preserve natural hard and soft tissues with personalised patient care.
Assessing the reasons behind patients’ anxiety and understanding their attitude towards MI dentistry could enable clinicians provide holistic management options for patients with anxiety.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0194
Date of REC Opinion
18 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion