Sammanfattning
Challenges in dentistry are changing. More patients have good oral health and the ones with dental problems more often have complex causal relationships. The approach needed for building a good relationship and enabling the patients to understand their own health challenges is similarly difficult. Anxiety is one important factor that makes patients less perceptible for information and health advise. Consequently, dental staff must take patients’ anxiety seriously. This chapter gives an overview of patients’ basic needs: to feel safe, to have a good relationship with the dentist and to experience control of the situation as well as own reactions and affections. The chapter gives an overview of some useful behavioral management techniques the authors believe should be emphasized in education and competence building.