Effect of stress on information processing in the dental implant surgery setting

Objectives: Dental implantation is a stressful experience, both physically and psychologically. The effect of anxiety on the patient's ability to process relevant information prior to a stressful clinical situation (implant insertion) was evaluated.

Materials and methods: The study included 98 healthy patients, scheduled for implant insertion. Two different audio-tapes with relevant information regarding implant insertion were listened to immediately pre-operatively. Recognition questionnaires, consisting of 21 statements (correct and false information) were prepared, one for each tape. The dental anxiety scale (DAS), degree of state anxiety (SA), evaluation of pain expected during surgery, and extent to which patients understood the information provided were examined on 100 mm visual analogue scales.

Results: A significant positive correlation was found between patients' DAS and SA and between patients' expectation to experience pain during the surgical procedure. Certainty of understanding (CU) significantly contributed to the explanation of correctly classified statements (β=−0.43, t=3.71, P<0.01). CU was positively related to SA and negatively to DAS.

Conclusions: In a stressful pre-surgical situation, the ability to process relevant information may be severely impaired and should not be given to patients immediately before planned treatment.