THE USE OF HYPNOSIS IN DENTISTRY IN ANXIOUS PATIENTS. SYSTEMATIC REVIEWOF THE LITERATURE OF THE LAST 5 YEARS

Background:Dental anxiety and odontophobia significantly impact patient care and oral health. These conditions stem from factors such as direct conditioning, vicarious learning, and psychological predispositions, often leading to somatic symptoms and severe avoidance behaviors. Hypnosis has emerged as an effective approach for managing dental anxiety, providing benefits such as reduced fear and pain perception, improved patient collaboration, and enhanced healing. Materials and Methods:This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and analyzed studies retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases between 2019 and 2024. Randomized controlled trials, crosssectional studies, and comparative analyses examining hypnosis for dental anxiety and phobia were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed study quality and risk of bias. Data extraction focused on study design, outcomes, and patient demographics. Results:The search identified 75 papers, of which 56 were screened after removing duplicates. Following inclusion criteria, eight studies were analyzed. The risk of bias varied, with one high-quality study, two medium, and five low-quality studies. Evidence demonstrated hypnosis reduced anxiety, improved patient cooperation, and supported better oral health outcomes by addressing anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Conclusion: Hypnosis, combined with techniques like hypnotic communication and iatrosedation, offers a nonpharmacological strategy to manage dental anxiety and phobia. These approaches establish trust, redefine negative past experiences, and personalize patient care, leading to improved dental experiences and psycho-oral health. Implementing these methods in dental practice can enhance patient well-being and treatment outcomes.