Dental Dialogue! Reaching Your Comfort Zone in the Dental Office

In the previous issue, we talked with Dr. Vinson about fear of embarrassment when visiting the dentist. In this issue, we continue our discussion of common fears, focusing on the feelings of helplessness and anticipated lack of control during dental treatment.

Doctor, why do patients often feel helpless when visiting a dentist?
For many people, lying down in the presence of a stranger is uncomfortable enough. But in a dental office, you accept the invitation to lie down in an unfamiliar room, fully awake, and listen to a lot of strange noises around you, without being able to see what’s actually happening inside your mouth.

Also, with the mouthful of cotton rolls, it’s difficult to “have a say” in the matter. When placed in such setting, many people can’t help but surrender all control to the doctor, rather than stay involved in the process.

Are dental offices as scary as patients may think they are?
The reality of the contemporary dental practice is quite different! Its interior is designed with the anxious patient in mind, and offers warm, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. In addition, use of advanced techniques and materials, like fastacting anesthetics, make pain an obsolete aspect of most any dental treatment, and allow for a faster and more predictable treatment process. Moreover, many doctors view patients as partners in their dental care, and take their clients' needs into account by personalizing treatment plans and providing a more comfortable atmosphere.

What advice do you have for our readers?
The following techniques can help you achieve a sense of control during your dental treatment.

1. Find the right dentist. Ask family, friends, or coworkers what they like about their dentist. They are more likely to have wants and needs that resemble yours, so if they recommend a dental office, your chances of liking that practice go up. Also, consider asking your physician for a dental referral.

2. Start with an interview. Make your first visit an interview of prospective dentist. A lot of doctors offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose but a few minutes of your time. What you gain is an opportunity to evaluate the doctor, his/her staff and take the tour of the facility in a low-stress setting because you’re not there for treatment. It’s still up to you to schedule the appointment if you feel comfortable with the doctor.

3. Ask questions. Another great way to gain control in an intimidating setting is to understand what treatment solutions are available for you. Ask your dentist to explain what's happening at every stage of the treatment. That includes before, during and even after the work is done.

4. Be honest. Tell your dentist how much treatment you think you can tolerate at first. Once s/he knows what your concerns are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best way to make you more comfortable. Rearranging a major procedure into several small ones over several visits can be an effective way to ease your anxiety. As you build trust in the team caring for you, the length of your appointment and the amount of work accomplished can increase. Of course, if your dentist doesn’t take your fear seriously, it’s your right and responsibility to find another dentist.

5. Stay in contact. Another helpful strategy is to establish a signal—such as raising your hand—when you want the dentist to stop immediately. Use this signal whenever you are uncomfortable, need to rinse your mouth, or simply to catch your breath.

6. Consider Sedation. Oral sedation and other relaxation techniques may also help to alleviate your fears. When you’re comfortable with the doctor and his team, you can look forward to your next visit. And as a lot of people are finding out, the reclined position of the dental chair is actually a great place to catch up on that much needed nap! 
In the next issue, Dr. Vinson will continue our discussion of the top 5 fears in dentistry, with helpful tips on how to overcome them.

Dr. Oleg VINSON
25 Burns Street
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 261-4747
www.teethtamers.com