Table 2 Methods of reducing anxiety

From: Management of dental anxiety

Relaxation training: breathing, progressive muscle relaxation

Positive reinforcement

Behaviour shaping

Distraction: story-telling, music

Transfer of control to the patient: stop signal, rehearsal sessions

Explanation and information: ‘tell, show, do’ sequence; modelling; permissible deception (being economical with the truth)

Negative reinforcement

Hypnosis

Systemic desensitisation

Biofeedback

Acupuncture

Sedation

General anaesthesia

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