CONQUER YOUR FEAR OF THE DENTIST...
The key to good oral health is prevention - stopping problems before they arise. Unfortunately, people who suffer from dental anxiety often fail to visit the dentist for routine care. When they finally do go, often a small preventable problem has turned into a problem which will require major intervention.
In our years of successfully treating dental phobics, we have used a number of techniques. Some even involve the use of mild sedatives but most techniques involve face to face communication, answering of the patient's questions, and a lot of listening.
It takes a true partnership between the patient and the dentist, a growing trust, and a growing relationship that cannot, nor should not, be pushed faster than the patient can accept.
Usually the first appointment is a "get to know you visit" where we take a complete medical and dental history and have a discussion with the patient. We have found that by clearly explaining any planned procedures (what they are and why we plan to do them) and by answering all of the patient's questions, much of the anxiety can be eliminated.
The first visit also includes a discussion on what is the most stressful thing about dentistry for the patient and ways we can reduce, if not eliminate the stress. We perform an examination, take digital x-rays and develop a treatment plan TOGETHER. The progress made in each visit is controlled by the patient and their readiness to continue.
During future visits, we follow through with the necessary procedures. A person can also reduce their anxiety by bringing a friend or loved one along with them for support.
We often advise people not to schedule appointments during stressful times. Don't for example, schedule an appointment before a major business meeting or in the middle of the day if you know you have several tasks to do after the appointment.
Also, during the procedure, the dentist will tell patients exactly what he is doing - when they are going to feel pressure and when they are going to feel coldness. He uses all the techniques available to minimize the pain. In the few cases where the patient will feel discomfort, he will tell them. Surprisingly, anxiety is reduced if a patient knows EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT.
In our years of successfully treating dental phobics, we have used a number of techniques. Some even involve the use of mild sedatives but most techniques involve face to face communication, answering of the patient's questions, and a lot of listening.
It takes a true partnership between the patient and the dentist, a growing trust, and a growing relationship that cannot, nor should not, be pushed faster than the patient can accept.
Usually the first appointment is a "get to know you visit" where we take a complete medical and dental history and have a discussion with the patient. We have found that by clearly explaining any planned procedures (what they are and why we plan to do them) and by answering all of the patient's questions, much of the anxiety can be eliminated.
The first visit also includes a discussion on what is the most stressful thing about dentistry for the patient and ways we can reduce, if not eliminate the stress. We perform an examination, take digital x-rays and develop a treatment plan TOGETHER. The progress made in each visit is controlled by the patient and their readiness to continue.
During future visits, we follow through with the necessary procedures. A person can also reduce their anxiety by bringing a friend or loved one along with them for support.
We often advise people not to schedule appointments during stressful times. Don't for example, schedule an appointment before a major business meeting or in the middle of the day if you know you have several tasks to do after the appointment.
Also, during the procedure, the dentist will tell patients exactly what he is doing - when they are going to feel pressure and when they are going to feel coldness. He uses all the techniques available to minimize the pain. In the few cases where the patient will feel discomfort, he will tell them. Surprisingly, anxiety is reduced if a patient knows EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT.
