Catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and acceptance in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about pain catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and chronic pain acceptance in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and their effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. OBJECTIVES: To describe pain catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance in BMS patients and explore associations with affective function and HRQoL. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 36 BMS patients (31 female) referred to an Orofacial Pain Clinic completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8 in addition to standardised self-reported questionnaires measuring mood and oral and generic HRQoL. RESULTS: Pain catastrophising levels were markedly higher than (non-clinical) population norms, with 32.0% of patients reporting clinically relevant levels. Pain self-efficacy and chronic pain acceptance varied widely; 24.0% evidenced low confidence to cope with pain, and 53.8% reported low activity engagement and/or low pain willingness. Catastrophising showed moderate-to-strong associations with measures of anxiety (r = 0.63), depression (r = 0.80), and oral (r = 0.61) and generic HRQoL (rho=-0.84). Self-efficacy and acceptance were also closely related to levels of depression (r/rho=-0.83 to -0.73) and generic HRQoL (r/rho = 0.74 to 0.75). These associations were stronger than those between pain severity and affective function/HRQoL and persisted after controlling for pain severity. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of BMS patients evidence maladaptive beliefs about personal effectiveness in managing pain, which is closely related to affective disorders and impaired HRQoL. As such, treatment approaches targeting catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and acceptance may prove beneficial in improving mood and quality of life in BMS patients.

Complex Dentistry in General Practice - What Would You Do?

In 2019, in a world of instant gratification, what are the expectations of patients and dentists? Is training sufficient to meet these expectations? Decision-making in dentistry impacts the treatment choices patients are given, and may influence the outcomes of such treatment. It is therefore important to ensure as much standardisation as possible. In order to achieve this, it is important to know the current standard and the views of dentist as this will influence dental treatment planning. Clinical Relevance: This paper captures the treatment planning dilemmas of dentists, specifically of those in their Foundation training year, in order to aid targeting of training and development. Objective Statement: To understand treatment decisions of general dental practitioners and specialists.

Experience of and barriers to reporting child safeguarding concerns among general dental practitioners across Greater Manchester.

Introduction Child abuse and neglect present a significant global concern, therefore, it is imperative that dental professionals can identify children at risk. Previous literature has suggested that general dental practitioners (GDPs) do not feel adequately trained to do so and that there is a gap between the suspicion of abuse and onward referral.Aims To assess the experience of paediatric safeguarding reporting among GDPs in Greater Manchester and investigate the current barriers to reporting safeguarding concerns.Methods An anonymous questionnaire was distributed via email to a sample of general dental practices in Greater Manchester.Results Thirty-six questionnaires were completed, giving a 36% response rate. Fifty-eight percent of respondents had received undergraduate training and 83% had received postgraduate training. Eighty-one percent felt that GDPs require further training and support. Fifty-eight percent of GDPs had been suspicious of at least one case of child abuse or neglect, however, only 28% had completed an onwards referral. Common barriers to reporting included: fear of violence to the child; lack of certainty of diagnosis; and lack of confidence in their suspicions.Conclusion Barriers to the referral of suspected cases of abuse or neglect are still commonly reported. There is a strong demand for further child protection training among GDPs.