What is desensitisation?

• A. Gradual exposure to reduce dental anxiety.
• B. Complete avoidance of dental care.
• C. Use of sedation to eliminate pain.
• D. Ignoring patient discomfort.

Answer: (A)

Desensitisation is a staged, controlled way to reduce dental anxiety by exposing the patient to the dental situation gradually. The idea is to build tolerance and confidence over time, not to push through fear all at once. In practice, you start with simple, non-threatening steps—talking about fears, meeting the team, familiarising with the surroundings and equipment from a distance, practicing relaxation techniques—and only move to short, non-invasive experiences or treatments as the patient stays calm. Positive reinforcement and the patient’s control (like a stop signal) help reinforce coping that they can use during future visits. This approach differs from avoidance, which keeps fear intact; it also isn’t the same as sedation, which is a separate method to manage anxiety during a procedure but doesn’t train the patient to cope through exposure. Ignoring discomfort is detrimental and counterproductive.