Why is it that so many people are so afraid to go to the dentist? As a general dentist who has practiced for over twenty years, I would like to share some of the things I've learned from talking to my most fearful patients.
The greatest obstacle that prevents them from coming in to my office is fear of pain.
Next, it's embarrassment.
If they have a lot of dental problems, they are embarrassed to have me look in their mouths and see that they've been neglecting their health and worry how much it's going to cost to fix their problem.
Many of my patients had poor treatment as children which caused the fear they now have as adults.
I ask them to share with me their "dental past" before we can move on to the present.
What they don't realize is that dental visits can be comfortable and pain free nowadays.
The numbing agents we use today are more effective and now there's even a medication that can cause the numbness to wear off in half the time! Parents of my pediatric patients are amazed when their children come out in the waiting room after their dental appointments not only having had a stress-free visit, but are asking when they get to come back again! And of course, the toy box is always a big hit! Now, as a mom, I must admit I have mastered the art of distraction.
When kids come in for appointments, they get to choose an age-appropriate movie to watch with headphones.
If necessary, laughing gas is also used.
But the most important thing I do is COMMUNICATE with children.
I tell and show them everything I'm going to do before I do it, even allowing them to touch things.
If I think something is going to be even remotely uncomfortable for the patient, I tell them about it ahead of time, and tell the parents not to tell the children anything before the appointment.
Children are remarkably cooperative and helpful if they know what to expect.
And I treat my adult patients the same way.
Basically I treat people the way I would want to be treated.
Adults get to choose movies and laughing gas is always available.
For some exceptionally fearful patients, laughing gas is not enough, and they take a prescription medication for additional relaxation during appointments.
Patients love watching movies with headphones to drown out the background noise during their visits.
It makes the time pass much more quickly.
And it makes my job much easier because I know they are relaxed and entertained.
Here is what I tell my fearful patients: Emergency dentistry, you know what I'm talking about...
the kind that you put off until you are in desperate pain, oftentimes costs significantly more than routine care.
And if the only dental treatment you get is when you are in pain, how will you ever get to have the type of stress and pain free visit I've just described?