Mental disorders in dental practice : a case report of body dysmorphic disorder

Given the high prevalence of mental disorders in Western societies, dentists may be confronted with behaviors that may interfere with the safe and efficient delivery of dental care. This paper addresses the need for dentists to be aware of patient vulnerability factors and psychological problems due, for example, to the possible negative effects of psychological distress and critical incidents, and their consequences for both symptom presentation and dental treatment planning. This need for awareness is illustrated by a case report of a patient who developed body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)--a preoccupation with some imagined defect in physical appearance--following dental treatment