International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

20
Hypnosis in Dentistry
DOV GLAZER
New Orleans, LA, USA
INTRODUCTION
International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis. Edited by G. D. Burrows, R. O. Stanley, P. B. Bloom
Copyright # 2001 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBNs: 0-471-97009-3 Hardback); 0-470-84640-2 Electronic)
This chapter deals with that part of the human anatomy that is the greatest culprit
in reduction in life expectancyÐthe mouth. After all, smoking, drinking and
improper nutrition all pass through the oral cavity. While nutritional abuses have
been dealt with elsewhere in this volume see chapter 15), the focus here is to
provide dental and mental health practitioners insight and solutions for the hypnotic
management of oral problems. An approach is offered and scripts are provided to
make the application of clinical hypnosis strategies effective, time-saving and
practical in the busy private practice setting. Strategies for enhancing patient
comfort, expediting the healing process, reducing pain perception, dealing with
destructive oral habits such as ®nger and thumb sucking, exaggerated gag re¯ex,
bruxism and smoking) are presented for the reader's consideration. Implementing
these hypnotic strategies can improve the quality of care, and increase the practitioner's
satisfaction in providing it.
CENTRALITY OF ORAL CAVITY
There are compelling reasons to view the oral cavity as central to human existence.
According to Freudian psychosexual theory, psychological development is divided
into three stages: the oral stage ®rst year), the anal stage second and third years),
and the genital stage around third or fourth year). Occasionally, some libidinal
energy exists during one or both of the earlier stages, in¯uencing the rest of the
individual's life. By Freud's own account, the mouth serves as the ®rst interface
between the infant and the surrounding environment. Not only does it serve as a
means of obtaining proper nutrition but also as an erogenous zone which provides
sexual pleasure. If the infant feels anxious about oral activity, an oral ®xation may
result. Fixation produces an individual possessing a personality described by Freud
as an `oral character.' Another cause of oral ®xation revolves around satisfactory
nourishment. The individual develops a sense of trust or distrust towards its
International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis. Edited by G. D. Burrows, R. O. Stanley and P. B. Bloom
# 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd