Shivam Patel
| Shivam Patel |
Shivam Patel, Richa Panara, James Lee
Tatyana Straus, Joan Gluch, Karoline Genung
Division of Community Oral Health, Preventive & Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Description
These sites include Mercy LIFE, which is an adult day center for senior citizens. The patients seen here tend to be older, have a more complex medical history, and have sometimes never been to a dental clinic.
Project Overview
For many patients, a dental visit brings about feelings of apprehension, anxiety, and fear, which can often deter them from seeking dental care. These feelings can also make administering dental care more difficult for providers. As a result, it is imperative that providers be more conscious of dental anxiety and accommodate patients by creating treatment modifications. The pre-doctoral clinics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine have meticulously assessed patients’ dental fear level during the medical history review of each initial exam, recall visit, and urgent care visit. The school has encouraged all of its associated clinics to follow suit, including the community clinics that often treat populations normally not seen at the dental school. The aim of our study is to expand on the fear questionnaire presented in the pre-doctoral clinic by providing an introductory video to Mercy LIFE’s dental office to new and recall patients.
Outcome
If the data shows that fear levels decrease*, then future practitioners and students can use a similar intervention to appease apprehension, anxiety, and fear for future patients. *At the time of this abstract, the authors of this project are still collecting data. Data, final conclusions, and poster will be ready at the time of the poster presentation