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Techniques Used By Dentists To Help Phobic Patients Manage
by Olivia Mandri
http://www.fulldentist.com
Ask any dental phobic about the anxiety about visiting a
dental office and you'll clearly see how debilitating this
fear can be for an otherwise rational person. Even though
most people's fear can be conquered after some gentle
coxing, a dental phobic avoids dental work all together.
Sometimes this avoidance behavior is conscious or
unconscious. Many good dentists understand how real this
fear is for many people and specialize in ways that help a
patient manage this fear and dispel many worries.
Some dental phobics would rather watch their teeth rot and
fall out than step inside an office. Unfortunately, many of
these behaviors are associated with dental experiences that
were very traumatic in childhood. While many phobics know
that this behavior is for the most part irrational, the
panic symptoms displayed are often worse than the actual
thoughts. Some common panic symptoms include:
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Heart palpations
- Fainting
- Feelings of nausea
Fear of loosing control of a situation causes the most worry
for most dental phobics feel. Fortunately, these symptoms
are familiar to dentists who are trained in ways to comfort
a patient. Below are ways that experienced dentists lead a
patient through managing the fear:
1. Mention on the phone before your visit that you are
apprehensive about seeing a dentist. Sympathetic dentists
adjust visits to fit your pace. The first visit then is
generally devoted to cleaning and not for surgical
treatment.
2. While treatment is taking place, several techniques can
be administered to ease your anxiousness and relieve aches.
These methods include oral sedation, inhalation sedation,
general anesthesia, hypnosis and psychotherapy. Very
anxious patients can also receive aid from a new treatment
called the Alpha-Stim SCS, a hand-held control box with ear
clips that passes an electric wave current through the brain
to produce a feeling of relaxation.
3. Several techniques can be used during treatment to ease
anxiety and ease pain. Inhalation sedation, oral sedation,
general anesthesia, hypnosis and psychotherapy are just a
few techniques. Alpha-Stim SCS is a new relaxation practice
that allows the patient to send an electric wave current
through the brain from a hand-held control box connected to
ear clips.
4. Fear is a healthy survival mechanism and is often what a
phobic needs to hear to put dental fear into perspective.
5. Questions are important. You should ask your dentists
as many questions as necessary. A dentist's questions like
"Are you feeling this?" or "How are you doing?" helps the
dentist know how fast to proceed or if you need a break. A
good dentist never forces to you continue if you feel pain.
6. Knowledge is a key to understanding your dental work and
to snuff out unfounded fears. Many patients may have heard
statements in the past that that were incorrect like "If you
don't behave, I'll take you to the dentist!"
7. Shorter visits and spread out treatment allow the
patient's work to be completed in phases.
8. Follow up like a dental office's phone call or
painkillers like ibuprofen or long-lasting anesthesia let
the patient know that the dentist cares.
A resource for finding a dentist that specializes in dental
phobias is www.1800dentist.com or by calling 1-800-DENTIST.
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