Efficacy and Feasibility of Usage of Hand Signals during Dental Procedures among General Population Attending Dental Institute in Chennai- An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Communication in dentistry is as crucial as treatment itself, influencing patient trust, satisfaction, and anxiety levels. Dental procedures often limit verbal communication, making it hard for patients to express pain or discomfort, which can disrupt continuity and increase stress. Dental anxiety affects up to 50% of patients, with 10–20% avoiding treatment due to fear. Non-verbal methods like hand signals (e.g., DENTISIGN) have shown promise in reducing anxiety and improving efficiency. Assessing awareness and feasibility of such methods, especially in diverse populations like Chennai, can enhance patient–dentist communication and overall treatment outcomes.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of usage of hand signals during a dental procedure, among out-patients attending a dental institute in North Chennai.

Methods: 268 subjects were recruited for the study who required 2 or more restorative therapy, ultrasonic scaling, which required 2 appointments. Subjects were observed for the use of hand signals to communicate during treatment without any prior instruction. All the treatment procedures were done by a single operator. Before and after treatment, pre-tested questionnaires with close-ended questions about anxiety, fear, and the relative advantage of hand signals were provided. McNemar’s test was used to analyze the responses for the questionnaires before and after treatment during the first and second visits.

Results: By the end of the first visit, 67.4% of subjects felt a reduction in fear with the spontaneous usage of hand signals, 73.6% felt hand signals helped them communicate with instruments in their mouths, 52% felt it could create good rapport, and 8.41% felt it helped in reducing treatment time. By the second visit, 47.54% and 60.71% felt hand signals helped them overcome fear about the dental procedure and improved communication, respectively. 90.4% felt it could help create good rapport, and 67.6% felt that hand signals helped them reduce treatment time.

Conclusions: Hand signals, even without formal instruction, can significantly help in bridging the gap of communication during dental procedures, reducing anxiety and treatment time, and building a better rapport between the patient and the dentist.