Psychologists Help Boost Dental Health
A pilot scheme set up to try and reduce rates of decay has been successful. Researchers at Sydney University claim that psychologists have helped to reverse decay in many patients.
The scheme employs psychologists to try and encourage or persuade patients to brush their teeth and findings revealed that the programme was a great success. Results showed a 50 percent decrease in the need for first-time fillings and a 40 percent reduction in recurrent visits to the dentist.
The findings of the study will come as particularly good news for those who suffer from dental anxiety and dental phobia. Currently, the figures suggest that up to 50 percent of Australians experience anxiety when faced with a trip to the dentist, which is one of the major contributing factors to high rates of decay. It is estimated that around 30 percent of Australians aged between 25 and 40 suffer from tooth decay.
Professor Wendell Evans developed the scheme, a man who has dedicated his life to discovering methods of reversing tooth decay. Dr Evans is planning to open a ‘no-drill’ dental clinic at Westmead Centre for Oral Health next year and dentists will use a combination of methods, including preventative dentistry and behavioural management to boost standards of oral health.
Professor Chris Peck, from the Faculty of Dentistry at Sydney University, said that behavioural management was used to persuade patients to adapt their usual behaviour allowing them to develop better oral hygiene practice. Behavioural management techniques were also a great success in making positive changes to patients’ diets. The study showed that the approach was more cost-effective than traditional dental treatment.
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