Vladivostok, Vladivostok, Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
The study focuses on evaluating the dynamics of dental stress in patients and testing the hypothesis of a hormetic effect during repeated dental visits. A pilot survey was conducted (anonymous questionnaire, N = 43, Age range: 13-57 years) using a 10-point subjective stress scale and questions about triggers, physiological manifestations, and changes in anxiety between the first and the most recent appointment. Key observations include the following: 75% of respondents reported a decrease in the intensity of physiological reactions over the years; 75% (33/43) reported a reduction in subjective stress level when comparing their first and latest visits; the most common triggers were pain (24/43), uncertainty (21/43), and equipment noise (19/43). Mean stress scores for specific procedures were: anesthesia 2.4; examination 1.7; tooth preparation 2.9; endodontic treatment 2.9 (1-10 scale). Interpretation of the findings within the framework of the general adaptation syndrome and concepts of allostatic adaptation/hormetic stimulation suggests that repeated controlled dental stressors promote adaptive responses through mechanisms of predictability, trust, and neurohumoral desensitization. The study provides recommendations for using gradual exposure (hormetic strategy), patient-centered informational support, and monitoring of distress risk.
hormesis, dental stress, adaptation, anxiety, physiological reactions
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