Reducing Barriers to Care in Patients Managed with Ozone.

H.DOMINGO * , L. ABU-NABA'A, H. AL SHORMAN, J. HOLMES, MM. MARASHDEH, OT. ABU-SALEM, C.SMITH, R. FREEMAN and E.LYNCH. (Oral Health Care Research Centre, School of Dentistry, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland.)

Ozone can be considered as an alternative management strategy for dental caries. Ozone application for either 10 or 20 s kills the great majority of micro-organisms in primary root carious lesions (Baysan A, Whiley R, Lynch E, Caries Res 2000; 34: 498-501) and has been clinically proven to arrest occlusal pit and fissure caries as well as root caries in several randomised, double blind clinical trials. The treatment with Ozone is delivered from the HealOzone unit from CurOzone USA. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine attitudes to care and the dental anxiety of patients having Ozone treatment to manage caries. Methods: Attitudes to care, in relation to costs, time etc. were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. This is a 5-item inventory that measures dental anxiety. Scores range from 5 (not anxious) to 25 (dental phobia). Patients (n=377) who had a carious lesion treated with conventional drilling and filling within the previous 3 months and who had a similar carious lesion requiring treatment took part. 100% of patients participated and all completed the questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the majority of patients (99%) were happy or satisfied with the Ozone treatment and were happy or satisfied with the amount of time the Ozone treatment required (97%). 95% of patients stated that they would choose this treatment despite financial costs and were satisfied to choose this treatment, even if the Ozone treatment cost more than regular treatment. 97% would recommend this treatment to a friend or close relative and 100% would like to receive this treatment again. 99% of subjects were not anxious after the Ozone treatment and reported less anxiety after, compared with before, the Ozone treatment. Patients reported a reduction in dental anxiety experienced associated with the ozone treatment (p <0.05).

Conclusions: The results of this survey show that patients were happy or satisfied with Ozone treatment to manage their dental caries and would be happy to even pay more for this treatment than conventional drilling and filling. The Ozone treatment was associated with a reduction in anxiety. Supported by CurOzone USA