Salute orale e intervento psicologico nel trattamento della pedodontofobia

It L’interesse verso la sintomatologia fobica ha indotto i cultori delle principali scuole psicologiche (psicodinamica, comportamentista, cognitivo-comportamentale) ad interrogarsi sulla sua eziopatogenesi e a formulare, secondo i propri assunti di base, metodi e strategie d’intervento. Nel vasto panorama delle fobie, quella che ha per oggetto la cura del cavo orale costituisce un notevole problema che coinvolge, in forza della resistenza opposta, non solo il paziente ma anche lo specialista. In questo lavoro si e presa in considerazione la fobia dentale nel bambino, forma questa meno frequente ma piu grave della paura dentale. L’odontofobia puo avere delle significative ricadute che, non di rado, vanno al di la del trattamento e della specifica compliance; essa infatti puo compromettere la salute in generale, minare l’autostima, innescare conflitti nelle relazioni familiari. Trattandosi di bambini in eta evolutiva si e voluto porre l’accento su alcuni accorgimenti che, in ambito pedodontico, possono incrementare la motivazione all’igiene orale, stabilizzare la relazione con lo specialista e, all’occorrenza, sollecitare opportune strategie di coping verso l’ansia. Infine si e voluto accennare anche alle difficolta d’intervento nei confronti di minori disabili e come sia, in tal caso, importante favorire con i genitori una relazione aperta alla fiducia e alla condivisione. Fr L’interet pour les nevroses phobiques a porte les chercheurs des principales ecoles de psychologie (psychodynamique, comportementaliste, cognitive-comportementale) a s’interroger sur l’etiopathogenese et a formuler, suivant ses theses de base, des methodes et des strategies d’intervention. Dans le vaste panorama des phobies, celle qui a pour objet le soin de la cavite orale constitue un important probleme qui implique, en vertu de la resistance opposee, non seulement le patient mais aussi le specialiste. Dans ce travail, nous avons pris en consideration la phobie dentaire chez l’enfant, forme moins frequente mais plus grave que la peur dentaire. L’odontophobie peut avoir d’importantes consequences qui, souvent, vont au dela du traitement et de la compliance specifique ; elle peut en effet compromettre la sante en general, miner l’estime de soi, entrainer des conflits au sein des relations familiales. S’agissant d’enfants en âge evolutif, nous avons voulu mettre l’accent sur certains moyens qui, dans le domaine pedodontique, peuvent developper la motivation a l’hygiene orale, stabiliser la relation avec le specialiste et, a l’occurrence, solliciter des strategies opportunes de coping envers l’anxiete. Enfin, nous avons aussi voulu indiquer les difficultes d’intervention chez les mineurs handicapes et combien il est important de favoriser avec les parents une relation ouverte a la confiance et au partage. En The interest towards phobic symptomatology has persuaded the experts of the main psychological schools (psychodynamics, behavourism, cognitive behaviourism) to question its etiopathogenesis and to formulate methods and intervention strategies according to their own basic assumptions. In the vast list of phobias the one that concerns the treatment of the oral cavity constitutes a significant problem that involves not only the patient but also the specialist due to opposing resistance. The following paper has taken into consideration child dental phobia which is one of the more serious and less frequent dental fears. Odontophobia can have significant relapses which more often than not go beyond the treatment and the specific compliance: infact it can compromise the general health, damage the self-esteem and trigger conflicts within family relations. As this problem regards children at the age of development, emphasis has been placed on some tricks which in the pedodontic field can increase the motivation towards oral hygiene, establish a relationship with the specialist and, if need be, stimulate appropriate coping strategies for anxiety. Finally the paper aims to emphasize the difficulties in operating on disabled minors and the necessity in such situations to encourage a relationship with parents that is open to trust and sharing.