Hello All! For my first blog discussion, I would like to speak on an all too-familiar topic I deal with on a regular basis, and hopefully, in a way that will apply to the great neighbors of our beloved communities. I would like to first begin by defining a specific term. The term “dental IQ” is one often used in dental circles to describe the level of oral health care of individuals of certain geographical areas or designated subclasses. Typical suburban areas like Lantana and Argyle and those of the mid-cities area fall in the category of a high dental IQ as many residents present with outstanding oral health. Of course, achieving a high dental IQ does not merely imply healthy teeth and gums with no history of dental treatment, but instead, it is an indication of patients who actively seek and receive dental treatment when necessary and keep routine dental appointments. However, despite living in an area of a high dental IQ, some individuals will fail to maintain the same standards as their peers. One of the main causes of this trend is the topic of my discussion: dental anxiety.
As a dentist, it is obvious to me that dental anxiety is a subject that is well known and often expressed by the general public. When patients share with me that they are afraid of the dentist, I will jokingly remind them that no one was scared of me before I was a dentist and then I suggest that they imagine me as someone else. It may seem silly, but it conveys the reality that dental anxiety is a matter that is often misdirected or misunderstood. I recognize that dental anxiety is a real concern for many current and potential dental patients, but, in my experience, it is also an issue that can be easily managed if its nature is truly appreciated. Therefore, to attempt to overcome dental anxiety, it is best to understand its source.
Most experts will agree that the majority of dental anxiety originates from a feeling of lack of control. This is no surprise as certain aspects of a dental appointment such as lying back in a dental chair and being hovered over may create a feeling of helplessness. In addition, for many patients a dental examination can feel like a breach of personal space, and patients may experience feelings of intrusion or embarrassment . Another common source of dental anxiety is the experience of a poor previous dental experience. As a result, simple queues like sounds or sensations of a dental appointment may trigger a recollection of this past event. Understanding the source of your dental anxiety will help in learning to cope and even master it.
So once we identify the basis of dental anxiety, what do we do? The answer lies in a comfortable dentist-patient relationship. Though I joke about it, I appreciate when patients express honest feelings about their concerns. Overcoming dental anxiety requires effort from both the dentist and the patient, and when I am made aware of a patient’s anxiety, I am able to produce a strategy to deal with it. All approaches begin with conquering the assumption of lack of control. All patients have a level of control over the appointment. If a break is needed or if a sound or sensation is causing anxiety, simply make this aware to the dentist or dental auxiliary, take a pause, and allow yourself to regroup so that treatment can continue. If you feel you cannot complete the appointment, find an acceptable stopping point and reappoint for another time. I cannot express enough how much I personally value completing treatment in a comfortable and gentle manner in order to ensure proper dental care is received presently and in the future.
Dentistry itself has evolved significantly such that many other adjunctive measures are also available to increase patient comfort. Advances in dental technology such as digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and other dental tools help to improve the comfort and speed at which dental treatment is performed. Distraction techniques such as calming conversation, music, or even hypnosis (and, yes, I know a hypnotist), can also assist in creating a more comfortable atmosphere. The best distraction technique, not only for my pediatric patients but also my adult patients is the ability to watch television during an appointment. Finally, pharmaceutical measures can be implemented to reduce anxiety such as nitrous oxide, enteral sedation, or for advanced periodontal, oral surgery or implant cases, even IV sedation is a measure our office utilizes.
The ultimate goal of reducing dental anxiety is to make it possible to receive dental treatment in a comfortable way so that oral health concerns can be addressed before they worsen. Creating a comfortable environment through communication and understanding is the first step to achieving this goal. I believe every patient deserves a comfortable dental experience, and by forming strong patient-dentist relationships, I hope to improve all my patients dental IQ.
Many blessings to you and your families,
Dr. Matt
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