Narcissism in Dental Patients: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence in India

International Journal of Dental Science and Innovative Research (IJDSIR) IJDSIR : Dental Publication Service Available Online at:www.ijdsir.com Volume – 8, Issue – 5, October – 2025, Page No. : 114 - 117 Corresponding Author: Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, ijdsir, Volume – 8 Issue - 5, Page No. : 114 - 117 Page114 ISSN: 2581-5989 PubMed - National Library of Medicine - ID: 101738774 Narcissism in Dental Patients: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence in India 1Dr Mudunoori Mrudulika, BDS, Dental Assistant, 247 King Dental 2Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, MDS, PGDHM, Assistant Resident Medical Officer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital Corresponding Author: Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, MDS, PGDHM, Assistant Resident Medical Officer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital Citation of this Article: Dr Mudunoori Mrudulika, Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, “Narcissism in Dental Patients: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence in India”, IJDSIROctober – 2025, Volume – 8, Issue – 5, P. No. 114 – 117. Copyright: © 2025, Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, et al. This is an open access journal and article distributed under the terms of the creative common’s attribution non-commercial License. Which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given, and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. Type of Publication: Review Article Conflicts of Interest: Nil Abstract Background: Narcissistic traits can affect patient behaviour, treatment preferences, and interpersonal dynamics in dental settings. Recognizing these traits is crucial for enhancing patient management and satisfaction. Objective: To systematically review recent literature on narcissism in adult dental patients, examining its prevalence, psychological associations, and impact on dental care in India. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2019 and March 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies involving adult dental patients and narcissistic traits or diagnoses. Studies focusing on minors, nondental populations, or non-peer-reviewed sources were excluded. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. A PRISMA flowchart was constructed to outline the screening process. Results: The systematic search yielded a total of 301 articles. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 25 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ten studies from India met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Conclusion: Narcissistic traits in dental patients significantly influence their treatment preferences, compliance, pain perception, and satisfaction levels. Recognizing and understanding these traits can aid dental professionals in developing personalized treatment plans, improving patient communication, and enhancing overall care outcomes. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to address the unique needs of narcissistic patients in dental settings. Keywords: Narcissism, Dental Patients, Personality Traits, Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Systematic Review Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, et al. International Journal of Dental Science and Innovative Research (IJDSIR) ©2025 IJDSIR, All Rights Reserved Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Page115 Introduction Narcissism, characterized by an inflated sense of selfimportance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, is increasingly recognized as a personality trait that can significantly impact interpersonal interactions. In dentistry, patient satisfaction, treatment compliance, and aesthetic expectations may all be shaped by narcissistic tendencies. Patients with narcissistic traits may present unique challenges, such as excessive concern with appearance, unrealistic demands, or dissatisfaction despite objectively successful treatments. Moreover, the trend toward elective and cosmetic dental procedures has made the dental clinic a relevant setting for the expression of narcissistic behaviors. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the role of narcissism in adult dental patients in India, evaluating its prevalence, psychological correlates, and clinical implications in the dental context. Studies from India, including those by Saxena et al. (2020), Patel et al. (2022), and Gupta et al. (2021), emphasize the impact of narcissistic traits on dental treatment preferences, particularly in cosmetic dentistry, where patient expectations often exceed realistic outcomes. These studies underscore the importance of understanding narcissism in a cultural context that may shape perceptions of self-worth and aesthetic value in dental care. Methods Search Strategy A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus for studies published between January 2019 and March 2024. The keywords and MeSH terms included "narcissism," "narcissistic personality," "narcissistic traits," "dentistry," "dental patients," and "cosmetic dentistry." Boolean operators were employed to combine the terms: ("narcissism" OR "narcissistic personality" OR "narcissistic traits") AND ("dentistry" OR "dental patients" OR "cosmetic dentistry"). Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Inclusion criteria  Peer-reviewed articles  Studies involving adult dental patients (18 years and older)  Articles published in English  Studies addressing narcissistic traits or behaviors in dental settings Exclusion criteria  Studies involving minors  Non-peer-reviewed literature (e.g., dissertations, conference abstracts)  Studies unrelated to dental patients  Publications before 2019 Screening and Data Extraction Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Full texts of potentially relevant studies were reviewed for eligibility. A standardized data extraction form was used to collect study design, sample size, population characteristics, assessment tools, key findings, and study quality. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Quality Assessment Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for qualitative and quantitative studies. Studies were categorized as high, moderate, or low quality. Data Synthesis Due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes, a narrative synthesis approach was employed to analyze and interpret the findings. Prisma Flow Diagram A PRISMA 2020 flow diagram was constructed to illustrate the literature screening process, detailing the Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, et al. International Journal of Dental Science and Innovative Research (IJDSIR) ©2025 IJDSIR, All Rights Reserved Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 Page116 number of records identified, screened, excluded, and included. Results The systematic search yielded a total of 301 articles. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 25 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 10 studies from India were included in the qualitative synthesis. Study Characteristics  Designs: The included studies comprised a mix of cross-sectional surveys, observational studies, and one qualitative study.  Sample Sizes: Sample sizes ranged from 100 to 500 adult dental patients from various regions of India, including both urban and rural populations.  Assessment Tools: Narcissistic traits were assessed using various scales, such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and culturally adapted versions of narcissism scales for Indian populations.  Outcomes Measured: The outcomes included treatment satisfaction, aesthetic preferences, pain perception, and treatment compliance. Key Findings  Patients with higher narcissistic traits demonstrated a preference for cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening, smile design, and orthodontic procedures.  Higher narcissistic traits were correlated with lower compliance rates with prescribed treatment plans, and higher rates of appointment cancellations.  Narcissistic traits were found to influence pain perception, with these patients reporting heightened discomfort, particularly during orthodontic treatments.  Despite objective treatment success, narcissistic patients reported lower post-treatment satisfaction due to unmet aesthetic expectations. Discussion This systematic review highlights the impact of narcissistic traits on dental patient behavior and treatment outcomes in India. Patients exhibiting higher levels of narcissism tend to prioritize aesthetic aspects of dental care, often seeking cosmetic procedures to enhance their appearance. This aligns with the findings of Saxena et al. (2020), who noted a strong preference for aesthetic treatments among narcissistic dental patients. The association between narcissism and increased pain perception during orthodontic treatment suggests that these patients may have heightened sensitivity or lower pain thresholds. This finding is consistent with Sharma et Dr. Ravada V S S K Kinneresh, et al. International Journal of Dental Science and Innovative Research (IJDSIR) ©2025 IJDSIR, All Rights Reserved Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 Page117 al. (2019), who reported that narcissistic individuals had increased pain perception during dental procedures. Lower treatment compliance among narcissistic patients may stem from their need for admiration and difficulty accepting professional advice that does not align with their self-image. This behavior can lead to challenges in treatment planning and execution, potentially compromising clinical outcomes. Studies such as Patel et al. (2022) have further emphasized this issue in the Indian context, where self-image plays a central role in patient expectations. Other studies, such as Gupta et al. (2021), support the psychological complexities of narcissistic traits. Communal narcissism, for example, reflects a desire for admiration within social contexts, which may translate into behavior seen in patient-provider interactions. Conclusion Narcissistic traits in dental patients significantly influence their treatment preferences, compliance, pain perception, and satisfaction levels. Recognizing and understanding these traits can aid dental professionals in developing personalized treatment plans, improving patient communication, and enhancing overall care outcomes. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to address the unique needs of narcissistic patients in dental settings, particularly in the context of Indian cultural influences. References 1. Saxena, A., Rani, S., & Kumar, R. (2020). Prevalence of narcissistic traits among Indian dental patients and their impact on cosmetic dental treatment preferences. Journal of Indian Dental Association, 65(4), 230-237. 2. Patel, P., Bhargava, R., & Mehta, P. (2022). Narcissism and patient compliance in orthodontic treatments: A study in an Indian population. Indian Journal of Dental Research, 33(2), 150-156. 3. Gupta, S., Soni, R., & Khurana, S. (2021). The role of narcissistic traits in dental aesthetics and patient expectations. Contemporary Clinical Dentistry, 12(1), 75-80. 4. Sharma, S., Jain, A., & Choudhary, V. (2019). Narcissistic traits and pain perception in Indian orthodontic patients. Journal of Orthodontic Research, 7(3), 45-52. 5. Singh, A., Gupta, R., & Yadav, S. (2020). Influence of narcissism on treatment satisfaction among patients undergoing cosmetic dental procedures in India. Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 18(4), 150-158. 6. Reddy, R., & Bansal, D. (2023). Psychological factors influencing cosmetic dentistry patients: The role of narcissism in treatment compliance. Indian Journal of Aesthetic Dentistry, 9(1), 22-29. 7. Kumar, P., & Sahu, D. (2021). Understanding narcissistic behavior in the context of dental treatment: A survey of 200 Indian dental patients. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 22(6), 365371. 8. Mehta, R., & Kapoor, S. (2022). The impact of narcissistic personality traits on patient expectations and satisfaction in cosmetic dental treatments. Journal of Indian Cosmetic Dentistry, 15(1), 12-18. 9. Deshmukh, P., & Nair, A. (2019). Cultural perspectives on narcissism and its effects on dental care in India. Journal of Social and Clinical Dentistry, 10(2), 58-65. 10. Verma, S., & Shah, P. (2024). Narcissism and social media influences on dental patient behavior in India. Journal of Behavioral Dentistry, 11(4), 215-221.