Question: What can anxious patients do to prepare themselves for dental treatment?
Answer: Obviously, if a person has a phobia of dentists, they should minimize the need for anything but routine dental visits by practicing good oral hygiene. A person can not drink numerous sugar flavored soft drinks or sports drinks, chew gum, suck on mints containing sugar, not brush or floss, fail to use fluoride and then be surprised if they have dental problems. Regular dental check ups help catch small problems before they become big problems. Not withstanding, if one has a problem and must see the dentist, they want to practice a little positive psychology. If one has had a negative dental experience in the past, especially in the distant past, be aware much has changed in dentistry in a short time. New and older dentists are using more modern equipment, better materials and up to date methods to insure better patient comfort.
Secondly, patients who presently don't have a dentist should ask around for referrals, especially from people who share similar fears. Don't always depend on yellow page advertisements offering gentle dental care. A satisfied dental coward is a pretty good recommendation source.
Thirdly, for those who currently have a regular dentist, inform them of your fears. Don’t expect them to know your fears by mental telepathy. Most dentists try hard to be kind, caring, gentle and painless, but I assure you they will try even harder if they are aware of your fears.
Fourth, if a patient considers their dental fears beyond normal help, they shouldn’t hesitate to ask for a referral to someone who can administer conscious or I.V. sedation or uses Nitrous Oxide if their dentist isn't trained in theses areas.
Fifth, patients should never self medicate prior to dental treatment without informing their dentist. It could pose a danger if the dentist administers anesthesia or other medications.
Sixth, think positively! Once a patient convinces themselves that treatment is necessary, and the dental problem will only worsen if gone untreated and may require more difficult procedures which could cost more, they often accept the situation begrudgingly and overcome some of their initial hesitations.
Seventh, the patient must remember that the dentist is their partner in achieving good oral health. Never consider your dentist an adversary, but rather a friend.
In Review
Most Common Dental Fears and Phobias
- 1. Fear of injections (needles)
- 2.Fear of other pain and intimate area of treatment
- 3. Sense of lost control
- 4. Sense of confinement (claustrophobic)
- 5. Embarrassment of dental condition
- 6. Financial factors (cost of treatment, missed work time)
- 7. Previous dental experiences (often as a child)
About the Author: Gary Stough, D.M.D., has maintained a highly successful family dental practice since 1978. He has also held numerous seminars, conducted research studies and published a number of articles nationally. Dr. Stough resides in Cornelia, Georgia and is currently writing a book about stress in the dental office.
