DENTAL-HEALTH CONSULTING - A NEW ROLE FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS

This article provides a framework and rationale for including dentistr y under the health psychology umbrella. A number of issues and problem s ln the field of dentistry are identified. Opportunities for and obst acles to psychologists working in collaboration with dentists are disc ussed. Improving dentist-patient interactions, developing an effective dental office team, and working with dental phobics are suggested ave nues for helping dentists improve their dental practices. Obstacles to developing such a working alliance include the lack of collaborative interdisciplinary role models to emulate and the very different traini ng, knowledge and professional perspectives that psychologists and den tists bring to their work.