Dentist phobia is the fear or panic of the dental clinic or dental treatments. The causes can be various: fear of pain, panic of needles or rejection of the smells and sounds of the clinic because they remind us of previous traumatic episodes. It is advisable for the dentist and patient to work together to find the most comfortable way to avoid anxiety.
Dentist phobia: what it is
This is more common than it seems. It is a fear or panic of the dental clinic or dental treatments. A large part of the population does not go to the dental clinic, because just the thought of it generates anxiety. It is a vicious circle: avoiding dental treatment leads to a deterioration of dental health, with loss of teeth, and this leads to a feeling of guilt and more anxiety that reinforces, often out of embarrassment, the attitude of avoiding going to the dentist.
Causes of dental phobia
There can be many causes: fear that the treatment will hurt, panic of needles or rejection of the sounds and smells of the dental clinic, which can bring back bad memories of previous traumatic experiences. Other times it is not about previous memories, but about the unknown and the fear of losing control.
How can a dentist help with dental phobia?
Nowadays modern dental clinics create much friendlier environments and the entire staff is concerned with accompanying the patient and making the experience a pleasant one. Of course the first thing is to know how to put yourself in the place of the phobic patient and understand his or her problem.
Methods or therapy for dentist phobia
The method is different for each person, depending on the phobia:
– pain
– needles
– the uncertainty of what is going to be done to him/her
– the economic cost that may be involved
All the dental experts at the clinic are very aware of the fear that patients feel when they come to the clinic and they are trained to deal with it.
Sometimes a relaxation session is sufficient as a treatment. Anti-anxiety agents, such as nitrous oxide, or sedatives can also help with relaxation during dental visits and can often be used in conjunction with local anesthetics. Dentists can also use these agents to induce conscious sedation, in which the patient achieves a relaxed state during treatment. Sedatives can be administered by mouth, by inhalation or by injection before, during or after dental procedures.
On very specific occasions patients undergo general anesthesia, in which drugs cause temporary loss of consciousness. Deep sedation and general anesthesia are recommended for certain procedures in children or in patients who have severe anxiety or who have difficulty controlling their movements.
Is it possible to get the patient with dental phobia to agree to go to the dentist?
Undoubtedly, it is achieved with mutual collaboration. Today we pay a lot of attention to making the patient aware of the variety of options available to alleviate anxiety and discomfort so that they are well informed. It is important to talk to your dentist, explaining each stage, and always in simple and sincere language. Working together, you and your dentist can choose the appropriate steps to make your dental visit as safe and comfortable as possible.