Anxiety is a very common feeling and most people experience it at one point or another. It can be difficult to live with anxiety on a daily basis, but living without anxiety would not be possible either. For those who are afraid of going to the dentist, this fear may cause them to avoid dental care altogether for years. There are ways dentists have found to deal with patient anxiety in the office setting so that they can get their teeth checked out and stay happy and healthy!
The process of dental care can be a harrowing experience for some patients. When faced with the prospect of receiving treatments from someone they don’t know, many people become anxious and resist cooperating in any way possible. Dentists should take this into account when treating their patient’s teeth because if not dealt with appropriately, stress will negatively impact their short-term health as well as long-term visits to dentist appointments. Doing this will help both the patients and the dentists in many ways:
• Reduce stress levels while improving overall dental health
• Help patients to be proactive participants in their own care through active education on how to take better care of their teeth at home
• Stop the frustration and fear of dental visits
• Provide a safe, comfortable atmosphere for patients
• Enable dentists to provide better care with less anxiety
The following are some ways dentists deal with patient anxiety:
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Provide methods for assessing dental anxiety
Because anxiety is so prevalent and can cause a myriad of symptoms, it’s important to know how much your patient suffers from this condition. There are many ways you can measure your patients’ level of worry: questionnaires, interviews with friends or family members about their worries.
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Whenever feasible, provide pre-treatment sessions
Unless the patient’s situation is really urgent, a consultation prior to therapy may be quite beneficial. This allows them enough time to get familiar with and comfortable in the dentist’s chair before they start their treatment regimen. It also gives you as a dentist an opportunity for a thorough explanation of what needs to be done during your appointment so that every detail will make sense when it comes time for doing work on teeth or gums!
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Communication and Consideration
Hearing and understanding the fears of dental patients can have a calming effect on their anxiety. Listening to them express themselves is an important step in helping ease that fear, which will make it easier for both patients and dentists alike.
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Direction and Diversion
Giving patients with dental anxiety control over their whole session, including the exact dental procedure, has been shown to be useful by dentists and team members. Allowing the patient to determine when work begins, for example.
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Establish a Professional Environment
A clean and tidy office is crucial to building trust with your patients. With the patient’s comfort in mind, make sure you’re paying attention to their eyes when they walk through the door! This will help them feel more at home than a mere number on a chart; additionally, it creates an atmosphere of familiarity which helps build rapport for future visits. Give patients a reason why they should believe not only in yourself as an individual but the whole clinic!
The best dentists know how to deal with anxiety, and keep their patients calm. They use a number of techniques including sedation dentistry, nitrous oxide gas, and more.
Are You Looking for a Dentist Who Can Help With Your Dental Anxiety?
Do you worry about going to the dentist? If so, then Balfour Dental in Brentwood is a great place for you. They have over thirty years of experience helping patients with dental anxiety and their services include many different certifications that are top-of-the-line! Dr. Rayani and Dr. Siao both have many different certifications, including Invisalign Certification, Implant Dentistry, Sleep Apnea Treatment, Cerec CAD-CAM Restorations, Neuromuscular Dentistry, and Implants respectively. Our dental office is locally owned and operated by Dr. Dimple Rayani and Dr. Sien Siao, two professionals with vast experience in Implant Retained Denture treatments as well as general dentistry. If you are looking to renew your smile, contact Balfour Dental today!
