Reducing Barriers to Care in Patients Managed with Ozone

Ozone is an alternative management strategy for dental caries. Its application for 10 or 20 s kills most of microorganisms in primary root carious lesions and has been clinically proven to arrest occlusal pit and fissure caries as well as root caries in several clinical trials. Aim: This study aimed to determine attitudes to care and the dental anxiety of patients having Ozone treatment (HealOzone, CurOzone USA) to manage caries. Methods: Attitudes to care, in relation to costs, time were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. Dental anxiety was assessed using the 5-item inventory Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. 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 99% of patients were happy or satisfied with the Ozone treatment and were happy or satisfied with the amount of time it required (97%). 95% of patients stated that they would choose this treatment even if the Ozone treatment costs 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 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