Dental anxiety

Question 1

Describe behaviourism

Answer 1

• Focuses on observable behaviours + influence of environmental factors, whilst excluding innate or inherited characteristics
• 2 conditioning types:
• Operant
• Classical

Question 2

Describe operant conditioning

Answer 2

• Responses are learned because of their consequences
• Behaviour is shaped and maintained by consequences

Question 3

Describe classical conditioning

Answer 3

• Pairing of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus leads to an unconditional response
• After repeated pairings, neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus

Question 4

Describe what is meant by stimulus generalisation

Answer 4

The conditioned response can be evoked through similar stimuli that are similar or related to the conditioned stimuli

Question 5

Describe what is meant by stimulus discrimination

Answer 5

Conditioned response can also not be evoked by stimuli like but not identical to the conditioned stimulus

Question 6

Describe what is meant by extinction

Answer 6

Weakening of a conditioned response when conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus

Question 7

Describe what is meant by spontaneous recovery

Answer 7

Spontaneous return of the conditioned response sometime after extinction occurs

Question 8

Describe what is meant by high order conditioning

Answer 8

Conditioned response evoked by new stimulus that is paired with a conditioned stimulus

Question 9

What are some critiques of behaviourism

Answer 9

• Advocates a passive patient learning in a DCP-led environment
• Knowledge is given and absolute
  ‒ It does not account for processing that cannot be observed

Question 10

Compare behaviourism and cognitivism

Answer 10

• Behaviourism - A change in behaviour as a result of experience that can be measured
• Cognitivism: A change in mental representations and associations brought about by experiences

Question 11

Describe the social learning theory

Answer 11

‒ Developed from cognitivism
‒ Observation of behaviour and sensorial experiences
‒ Focuses on consequences of the behaviours
‒ ‘Attention, memory, reproduction, motivation’

Question 12

What can learning from a role model be influenced by

Answer 12

‒ How the learner perceives itself to the model
‒ How capable the model seems to be?
‒ How much power the model seems to have
‒ How nurturing and caring the model seems to be
‒ How many models the learner observes

Question 13

What are critiques of the social learning theory

Answer 13

‒ Does not consider individuality, context, and experience as mediating factors
‒ Suggests that students/patients learn best as passive receivers of sensory stimuli as
opposed to being active learners
‒ Emotions and motivation are not considered important or connected to learning

Question 14

What are the 4 components of anxiety

Answer 14

1. Emotional: e.g. fright, nervousness, and irritability
2. Cognitive: e.g. hypervigilance, poor concentration and rumination
3. Behavioural: e.g. freezing up, defensive (fight), or avoidant (flight)
4. Physical: e.g. dry mouth, muscle tension and pounding heart

Question 15

What is selective attention

Answer 15

Attention to threatening words, faces, pictures and objects, etc

Question 16

Describe memory alteration (selective memory)

Answer 16

Selective remembering of negative information such as intrusive memories, flashbacks, schema memories

Question 17

Describe pain and anxiety cycle

Answer 17

Pain and the fear of pain causes anxiety, and more anxiety about potential pain causes pain, and this reciprocates

Question 18

What are the different types of measurement of anxiety and dental beliefs

Answer 18

• Modified Dental Anxiety Scale – based on specific situations
• Dental Anxiety Inventory – includes sensory, psychological and behavioural responses
• Dental Locus of Control – internal and external influences on your oral health
• Dental Self-efficacy Scale – confidence in your ability
• Dental beliefs survey

Question 19

Describe the dental beliefs survey

Answer 19

1. Professionalism (a worry your dentist is technically incompetent)
2. Communication (the dentist isn’t talking to you)
3. Lack of control (a worry that you are not in control whilst in the chair)

Question 20

How should dentists communicate effectively

Answer 20

• Reassuring patients
• Providing information at the right times
• Showing control of voice (pitch, volume, tone)

Question 21

How can dentists manage behaviour appropriately

Answer 21

Relaxation techniques:
- Progressive ‘tense & release’ mechanism
- Release only
- Focussing on the specifics