Dental Anxiety
"I gave your receptionist my car keys so I couldn't leave," he
said. My new patient was white as a sheet. His voice was shaking as
he described his dreadful toothache that finally brought him to my
dental chair. I soon realized that the tremor in his voice and
pallor of his complexion was not caused by pain, but by his deep
fear of dental treatment. As I glanced at his chart, I was
astonished to see what he did for living. Sitting in my chair was a
policeman who not only worked as an undercover drug agent, but was
a member of the bomb squad, as well. This man could fool a drug
dealer or calmly face a live, ticking bomb, but was afraid of
me.
It is a fact that nearly one half of all Americans rarely, if
ever, go to a dentist. Anxiety about dental procedures seems to be
the primary reason for avoiding dental chair. Unfortunately, people
who avoid the dentist often end up in up in a dental office as an
emergency patient with the same amount of pain this man was
experiencing. The treatment then becomes more complicated and
expensive because the problems have become extreme.
My new patient described a terrible childhood experience in his
dentist's office when a cavity was filled without enough Novocain.
This event kept him away from dentists for thirty years. To help
relieve his fear of dentists, I gave him the following five tips to
help overcome dental anxiety. Maybe they will help you, too.
1. First, appreciate the central role your mouth plays in every
day life. So many of life's pleasures involve the mouth, from
eating and drinking, to laughing, talking and kissing. When we have
discomfort in our mouths, every aspect of our lives is affected.
And then, of course, there is appearance. A person's smile is one
of the first things people notice. Embarrassment from unsightly
teeth can significantly lower self-confidence.
2. Know how much the dental profession has changed. New
inventions have completely revolutionized modern dentistry. Amazing
new materials and technologies allow today's dentists to make your
teeth look great, last longer, and function better than anyone
could have imagined even a decade ago. And, dentists can work
miracles on teeth quickly and quietly while the patient is
completely comfortable. Some of the high-tech goodies available
include: computer controlled Novocain, laser treatments, "air
abrasion" to fill cavities without needles or drilling, the
intra-oral camera so you can see for yourself how your teeth look,
and ceiling TVs to distract you with videos while the dentist
works.
3. Find a dentist who will give you the time and attention
needed to calm your fears. The staff should add to the supportive
atmosphere of the office by knowing your name when you arrive and
being happy to see you.
4. Relate your fears to your dentist because verbalizing these
concerns is the first step in overcoming them. It also enables the
dental team to provide the specific attention you need.
5. Have your dentist clearly explain the procedure he plans to
use to solve your dental problem. By understanding what is going to
happen, your fears will be diminished. Your dentist will also help
you avoid future problems by showing you how easy it is to take
good acre of the teeth you have.
I am happy to relate that my new patient, the police officer, is
now an old patient and an office favorite. His dental problem was
cleared up, and his fear of dentists is finally gone. He comes in
regularly to have his teeth cleaned and checked. I fully expect him
to celebrate his 90th birthday by flashing a winning
smile as he orders steak and corn on the cob for dinner.
