Memory of dental experiences as related to naturally occurring changes in state anxiety

Abstract

In a study designed to explore the relevance of anxious mood on recall, patients about to see their dentist were asked to complete questionnaires measuring their anxiety before and after the appointment. The patients were also asked to describe a previous visit, but half were given this task before the appointment—when their state anxiety was high—and half afterwards—when their state anxiety had declined. Female patients rated the recalled experience as being significantly more unpleasant before the appointment than afterwards, a result not shown by the males. A judge's ratings of the descriptions indicated similar effects for vividness, but not for procedures, sensations or dentist's behaviour. The results support the notion that anxious mood can affect the description of previous experiences.