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Controlling Anxiety and Fear in the Dental Office
For those with dental phobias, by far the most effective way to control fear and anxiety is the development of a trusting and caring personal relationship with their doctor and staff. My office is designed to look and feel more like a spa or boutique than a dental office. We constantly strive to create a warm, caring and cozy atmosphere, even down to elimination of that awful "dental office" smell.
I find that earphones and movie glasses only interfere with the communication necessary for development of those relationships. I like to be in verbal and visual contact with my patients while treatment is in progress so that we can interact. Also, watching the eyes is the best way I've ever found to judge the emotional state of my patient.
Local anesthesia is very effective when used in appropriate situations and appropriate amounts. I have developed many innovative means for the comfortable delivery of local anesthesia over the years. Foremost of these is the willingness to slow down and take the time necessary to be gentle.
For new patients in need of immediate treatment or for those patients with unusually strong phobias, I have found the judicious use of a preoperative oral sedative or laughing gas (nitrous oxide) to be an excellent solution.
Conscientious dentists always remember: there is a person at the end of every root.
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