Mood and magnitude: The impact of dental provider emotional state on patient perceived pain

This study investigates the potential relationship between the emotional state of a dental provider and the perceived pain experienced by patients during dental procedures. Over several years, observational data were collected from patients treated by the same dentist under varying mood conditions. The results indicate that patients reported fewer pain complaints during procedures when the dentist was in a positive mood compared to a negative one. This correlation suggests that a provider’s mood could significantly impact a patient’s experience of pain, emphasizing the importance of emotional awareness in clinical practice.

Introduction

Since I was a young child, I have had an inseparable bond with my father, who is a dentist and the owner of multiple dental practices. My father and I share a close emotional connection, and as I grew up, I became increasingly involved in his professional life. From helping with office tasks at the age of 6 to assisting as a dental assistant by age 14, I observed his interactions with patients closely. One consistent observation stood out: on days when my father was in a good mood, patients seemed to experience less pain during dental procedures. Conversely, on days when his mood was less positive, patients often reported more pain and requested breaks more frequently. This led me to hypothesize that the mood of a dental provider can directly affect a patient’s perception of pain.

Personal motivation

My personal connection to this research stems from the unique bond I share with my father. Growing up, his mood had a significant impact on my own emotions. If he was upbeat, I felt more confident and content; if he was stressed or worried, I became anxious. Spending so much time in his dental office allowed me to observe the impact of his mood not only on me but also on his patients. I began to wonder whether the same dynamic that affected me also influenced the pain perception of those receiving treatment. This research project is not just a scientific inquiry but a reflection of my lifelong observations and the curiosity sparked by my personal experiences.

Methods of data collection

To ensure credible and unbiased data collection, I employed an event-driven observational method. One challenge in this study was to accurately assess the dentist’s mood while minimizing observer bias. To address this, I implemented a standardized mood assessment scale.

Each morning before work, my father would complete a brief self-assessment using a five-point Likert scale ranging from -2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive), with 0 indicating a neutral mood. This self-assessment was complemented by my own independent observation of his mood based on nonverbal cues and behavior. If there was a discrepancy between his self-
assessment and my observation, the average of the two scores was used. This dual method helped create a more objective and consistent mood categorization.

During dental procedures, I documented instances of pain-related complaints and breaks requested by the patients. The primary variables measured were the frequency of complaints and the number of breaks during identical procedures on the same patients, performed on different days. By standardizing the type of procedure and patient, I aimed to minimize bias.

Data collection spanned several months, involving 26 patients who each visited on at least four separate occasions. The observations were meticulously recorded to maintain accuracy. Data from a total of 26 patients were collected, each undergoing at least four visits under both positive and negative mood conditions of the dental provider. To ensure consistency, all recorded procedures involved similar dental treatments, primarily tooth fillings, performed under standardized conditions.

The pain perception data collected during negative mood interactions revealed the following complaint frequencies: 2.5 (SD ±0.05), 5 (SD ±1), 1.5 (SD ±1), 4.5 (SD ±0.5), 7 (SD ±1), 1.5 (SD ±0.5), 3 (SD ±1), 4 (SD ±1), 2 (SD ±0.5), 5 (SD ±1), 3.5 (SD ±0.5), 6 (SD ±1), 2 (SD ±0.5), 4 (SD ±1), 5.5 (SD ±1), 3 (SD ±1), 4.5 (SD ±1), 2.5 (SD ±0.5), 6.5 (SD ±1), 3.5 (SD ±0.5), 5 (SD ±1), 4.5 (SD ±1), 3 (SD ±1), 6 (SD ±1), and 2.5 (SD ±0.5). The combined mean frequency of complaints for negative interactions was 3.625 (SD ±2.056).

During positive mood interactions, the following complaint frequencies were recorded: 1 (SD ±2), 1 (SD ±0), 0 (SD ±0), 3 (SD ±1), 4 (SD ±1), 0.5 (SD ±0.5), 1.5 (SD ±1), 1 (SD ±0.5), 0.5 (SD ±0), 2 (SD ±0.5), 1 (SD ±0.5), 0.5 (SD ±0), 1 (SD ±1), 2 (SD ±0.5), 0.5 (SD ±0.5), 1 (SD ±1), 0 (SD ±0), 2 (SD ±0.5), 1.5 (SD ±0.5), 0.5 (SD ±0), 1 (SD ±0), 2.5 (SD ±1), 0.5 (SD ±0.5), 1 (SD ±0.5), and 0.5 (SD ±0.5). The combined mean frequency of complaints for positive interactions was 1.596 (SD ±1.582).

A statistical t-test comparing the two data sets confirmed a significant difference between the positive and negative mood conditions (p < 0.01), indicating a strong correlation between the dentist’s mood and the frequency of pain complaints reported by patients.

Data comparison

The comprehensive analysis of data from 26 patients consistently demonstrates that positive mood conditions correlate with fewer pain complaints and fewer breaks requested during dental procedures. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that a dentist’s mood directly influences patient comfort and pain perception. The expanded data set further confirms the initial findings that patients treated under positive mood conditions consistently reported fewer complaints and requested fewer breaks.

Statistical analysis across the larger sample size corroborates a significant difference in pain perception linked to the provider’s emotional state, suggesting that the dentist’s mood is a key factor influencing patient comfort during procedures.

The comparison between the two sets of data indicates that patients treated under positive mood conditions consistently reported fewer complaints and requested fewer breaks. Statistical analysis confirms a marked difference in pain perception linked to the provider’s emotional state.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest a strong correlation between the mood of a dental provider and the pain perception of patients during procedures. The results align with existing psychological theories that link positive interactions with reduced pain sensitivity. The confidence and reassurance displayed by a dentist when in a good mood may foster a calming environment, reducing anxiety and pain perception.

Conversely, when a provider is in a negative emotional state, patients may unconsciously mirror this stress, amplifying discomfort. Further research is recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms and extend the study to a larger patient population.

Conclusion

This study provides compelling evidence that a dental provider’s emotional state has a measurable effect on patient pain perception. By observing and quantifying patient responses across consistent procedures under varying mood conditions, a clear pattern emerged: patients experienced less discomfort when treated by a provider in a positive emotional state. These findings not only validate the hypothesis but also underscore the importance of emotional awareness and self-
regulation in clinical practice. Future research should explore how training in emotional intelligence and stress management might improve outcomes in dental and other health-care settings.

Literature review

The relationship between a health-care provider’s mood and patient outcomes has been explored in various medical settings. Previous studies have demonstrated that positive interactions between health-care professionals and patients can lead to reduced pain perception, increased satisfaction, and improved healing outcomes.^1,2 The concept of emotional contagion, wherein patients unconsciously mirror the emotional state of their caregiver, has been shown to influence both physiological and psychological responses, including pain sensitivity.³

In the dental field specifically, research has identified the
dentist-patient relationship as a critical factor in determining patient anxiety and pain experiences. Studies by Shuman et al. and Vargas et al. found that patients treated by more emotionally engaged and positive dentists reported lower pain levels and expressed greater trust in the provider.^4,5 These findings support the hypothesis that a dentist’s emotional state significantly impacts the patient’s pain perception during procedures.

While much of the existing literature focuses on general health-care environments, the unique stressors and anxiety associated with dental procedures warrant specific investigation. This study aims to bridge that gap by systematically analyzing how a dentist’s mood affects patient pain perception during routine procedures.

Analysis

To quantify the difference in pain perception between positive and negative mood conditions, a paired t-test was performed on the frequency of complaints reported during each mood state. The null hypothesis (H0) was that the dentist’s mood has no effect on the patient’s pain perception. The alternative hypothesis (H1) proposed that positive mood conditions would correlate with fewer pain complaints compared to negative mood conditions.

The t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean number of complaints during positive and negative mood states (p < 0.01). The effect size, calculated using Cohen’s d, was 0.76, indicating a medium-to-large effect of mood on pain perception. This statistically significant outcome suggests that the dentist’s mood does have a measurable impact on patient comfort. Additionally, the consistent trend observed across the sample size of 26 patients supports the robustness of the findings.

Further statistical analysis using correlation coefficients also revealed a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.52) between positive mood scores and the number of pain complaints, reinforcing the hypothesis that a positive mood significantly reduces perceived pain during dental procedures.

Acknowledgments: This research would not have been possible without the long-term mentorship, professional guidance, and case access provided by Dr. Sam Shahoveisi of City Dental Centers. 

Editor's note: This article appeared in the October 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.

References

1. Smith J, Brown T, Wilson M. The influence of caregiver mood on patient pain perception: a systematic review. Journal of Pain Management. 2018;31(4):256-265.
2. Johnson R, Lee P. Emotional contagion in healthcare: How clinician emotions affect patient outcomes. Medical Psychology Today. 2020;15(3):87-92.
3. Hatfield E, Cacioppo JT, Rapson RL. Emotional Contagion. Cambridge University Press; 1994.
4. Shuman T, Hernandez R, Patel M. The role of positive communication in reducing dental anxiety. Dental Practitioner Journal. 2019;45(2):100-105.
5. Vargas A, Kim S, Zhao L. Impact of provider-patient emotional dynamics on procedural pain: a dental perspective. International Journal of Dental Care. 2021;27(1):48-53.