contactproblemen

Contactproblemen is a Dutch term that broadly denotes difficulties with contact. In everyday use, it can refer to social or interpersonal contact, as well as contact between physical surfaces, such as teeth or lenses. The concept is applied in medicine, dentistry, and psychology to describe disruptions in normal contact processes and to guide evaluation and treatment.

In the psychosocial domain, contact problems describe difficulties in initiating or maintaining social interactions. Causes include anxiety disorders, autism spectrum traits, language or cultural barriers, and depressive symptoms. Symptoms include avoidance of social situations, misreading social cues, and frequent misunderstandings. Evaluation typically involves clinical interviews and standardized social functioning scales. Treatments include psychotherapy, social skills training, and group-based interventions.

In dentistry, contact problems refer to improper contacts between teeth when the jaw closes or wears down. They can cause bite discomfort, jaw pain, tooth wear, or temporomandibular symptoms. Causes include malocclusion, restorative work that alters occlusion, tooth loss, and bruxism. Diagnosis uses dental examination, bite registration, and imaging. Management may involve occlusal adjustment, orthodontics, restorative planning, or occlusal splints.

In ophthalmology and contact lens care, contact problems describe discomfort, redness, or vision changes related to wearing contact lenses due to poor fit, dry eye, infections, or hygiene issues. Diagnosis includes slit-lamp examination and corneal assessment. Treatments include refitting lenses, switching lens materials or brands, lubricants, and strict hygiene.