Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which is better known as OCD, is a very difficult condition to live with. One of the challenges facing those with the condition is going to the dentist. This is often due to fears over cross-contamination and cleanliness. However, dental clinics can put some measures in place to improve the experience of those with the condition.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating condition that impacts the lives of all those with the condition in many ways.
OCD is a very misunderstood condition. It involves obsessions and compulsions. One of the common obsessions people with the condition have is around cleanliness and hygiene.
Therefore, this can cause problems when an individual with the condition needs to visit the dentist. So how can dental clinics make it more comfortable for patients with OCD? There are a few different methods that can be put in place.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
OCD is a rather common condition, with around 8 million American adults suffering from the condition [1]. Children can also suffer from the condition.
OCD is characterized by a person having obsessions, which subsequently result in compulsions. An obsession is an unwanted or unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a person’s mind. Then, a compulsion is a repetitive action that the person carries out to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsession [2].
For example, a person with OCD may have an obsession around cleanliness. Therefore, they may have an urge to wash their hands frequently throughout the day. They may feel unable to touch any surface before they have washed their hands.
This obviously causes many problems. They may withdraw from social situations, rarely leave their house, and struggle to remain employed. Moreover, they can easily develop Depression as a result.
Treatment is available and generally involves a combination of talking therapy and medication [2]. But treatment takes time. Among the tasks that are often neglected by those with OCD is going to the dentist.
OCD patients seeing the dentist
A dental clinic can be a challenging place for those with OCD to visit. A common fear is contamination. This is difficult to avoid at a dental clinic, due to the number of patients that enter in and out of the clinic daily.
Past research also found that common issues for those with OCD in dental clinics included aggressive thoughts, teeth grinding, being concerned about the order of the procedure and worries about cleanliness [3].
Moreover, OCD patients may have worse oral health. Antidepressants are one of the most common treatments for OCD. However, one of the most common side effects of these medicines is a dry mouth, which has a negative impact on oral health [4].
Other oral health problems facing those with OCD includes a person overcleaning their teeth or brushing too hard – in an effort to make the teeth cleaner.
But this will sadly commonly result in gum recession due to the vigorous pressure on the gums. Therefore, some OCD patients are reluctant to visit the dentist due to the fear of needing treatment.
What can dentists do?
It should be pointed out that this is a two-way situation, and that having patients with OCD can be challenging for dentists to cope with. However, there are various methods that they can try to improve patient experience.
An open discussion at the start of the meeting about the patient’s mental health could help to make them more comfortable. This would also make them realize that the dentist cares about their wellbeing.
One helpful thing that can be done involves visible sterilization of instruments. So a dentist could actively clean any equipment or the chair in front of the patient. Therefore, this should assuage any concerns about contamination, infection, or a lack of cleanliness.
Moreover, if an anesthetic needle needs to be used, a dentist could offer to use a disposable needle. Again, this can help them to feel more at ease.
Openly communicating with the patient throughout the appointment can also help. A dentist could discuss the needs of their patient prior to beginning the check-up or procedure.
Additionally, when going through a procedure, a dentist could take extra time to explain what they are doing throughout, which should reduce any anxiety.
While patients with OCD are unlikely to be entirely comfortable, the hope is that the above methods will contribute towards a more stress-free experience for them.
Summary
Overall, there are several challenges facing those with OCD. A common challenge is oral health. But the methods put forward above should hopefully help with making the dentist a smoother experience for them.
It should also be remembered that despite having a common diagnosis, each patient will present their own individual circumstances that dentists will need to consider.
The aim is for OCD patients to receive strong oral healthcare, practice excellent oral hygiene, and find the dentist a pleasant place to go.
Thinking points…
1) Many of us have health challenges. But something that unites everyone is the importance of looking after our oral health! Therefore, remember to brush your teeth regularly and have strong oral hygiene. Additionally, remember to book an appointment at the dentist at least once every six months for a check-up. We recommend booking an appointment now!
2) Do you know anyone that has OCD? This could be a friend, relative or family member. If so, you could send this article to them now – it could be really useful to them! Similarly, you could share this article on your social media accounts, it could reach a lot of people! Why not share this article now?!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] International OCD Foundation. (2022). Who Gets OCD?. Available: https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/who-gets-ocd/. Last accessed: 5th February 2025.
[2] Mental Health General. (2024). Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum: Everything You Need To Know. Available: https://www.mentalhealthgeneral.com/obsessive-compulsive-spectrum-everything-you-need-to-know/. Last accessed: 5th February 2025.
[3] Elkamash, H. M., & Abuohashish, H. M. (2021). The Behavior of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Dental Clinics. International Journal of Dentistry. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5561690.
[4] Peeters, F., deVries, M., & Vissink, A. (1998). Risks for Oral Health With the Use of Antidepressants. General Hospital Psychiatry. 20 (3): p150-154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-8343(98)00017-6.
