Name: Medically Complex Patients Series [5] Dental Treatment and patients with Anxiety
Start: 2025-04-01T02:22:13+13:00
End: 2025-04-01T02:22:13+13:00
Location: Medically Complex Patients Series [5] Dental Treatment and patients with Anxiety

In todays' evolving healthcare landscape, dentists play a crucial role in the management of medically complex patients. Providing comprehensive and compassionate care requires an understanding of each patient's needs, including any related medical conditions. This webinar series will explore a number of topics aimed at giving practical advice for dentists to navigate the challenges of treating patients with diverse medical needs in dental practice.

Learning outcomes

Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental health disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. There are many forms of anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety , panic attacks, social anxiety and phobias. These conditions can affect how patients experience and respond to care. While treating patients who present with anxiety you may need to employ a range of techniques both psychologically and pharmacologically to make a more comfortable in the dental environment. I will discuss the consideration of long-term maintenance strategies for these patients, use of coaching, motivational interviewing techniques to reduce the likelihood that these patients get stuck in a negative repetitive cycle.

Speaker

Dr Andrea Kelsen BDS, DClinDent (Special Needs Dentistry)

Andrea graduated from university of Otago 1999 with a BDS and went to work at Capital Coast Hospital Dental Service for two years until she left to go on a working OE in the United Kingdom for four years. She returned to New Zealand in 2006 after being offered her ideal job at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth where she has worked as a clinician for the past 17 years. She undertook a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Special Needs) which was completed in 2010. Since completing her postgraduate studies, she has also undertaken a Diploma in Health Coaching and Nutrition.