Imagine walking through the dental clinic doors with a smile on your face and your head held high, excited about your teeth cleaning or dental procedure. Unfortunately, that is far from a reality for many people. Here at our Mirrabooka dental clinic, Dr Peter Duke and our team of gentle, caring dentists and staff hope to make this a reality for every patient who trusts us with their oral health.
Why People Fear the Dentist
People fear the dentist for many reasons, but a dentist who understands dentophobia can make all the difference! Let's explore a few common reasons some patients fear visiting a dental clinic.
- Embarrassment: If someone has not visited the dentist in a while or has multiple issues, including broken and decayed teeth, they may fear judgment by the dentist or dental team.
- Past Trauma at the Dentist: If a dentist was rough or abrupt with a patient, especially in childhood, it might mean a lifelong fear of the dentist.
- Gag Reflex: A gag reflex or fear of choking when the dentist works inside the mouth may make some patients frightened to have work done at the dental clinic.
Dental Anxiety Strategies Before and During the Appointment
Before You See the Dentist
- It might be relaxing to listen to soft music. Studies have shown that listening to music eases the stress response.
- You can also call a friend or loved one (or bring them to your appointment). Having someone you trust with you may make the appointment easier and less stressful.
- Breathing exercises that reach your core may also help with relaxation.
During Your Appointment
- Take advantage of Dr Duke's 15-minute chat to express your concerns. He may be able to help you feel less stressed by letting you know what to expect.
- Ask about our therapy dog Benji! Benji helps many patients feel less anxious, and studies have shown that therapy dogs can work wonders.
- We can arrange a signal between you and the dental team indicating that you must take a break. Knowing you have this option in advance may make your treatment less stressful.
A Customised Approach to Dental Anxiety Management in Mirrabooka
Often, we refer to all dental anxiety under the umbrella of dental phobia or fear. However, at Western Smiles Dental Care, we believe that each person's emotional response to dentistry is as unique as their smiles.
Sedation dentistry is often the go-to approach to manage dental anxiety. Still, sedation dentistry rarely resolves the anxiety itself, which is the goal of Dr Duke and our other compassionate dentists. Any sedation also comes with risks, though it's generally safe and can have lasting effects like grogginess or impairment that disrupt your normal day.
When possible, we use other behaviour- and relational-based strategies to help patients who are coping with dental anxiety regain a sense of empowerment. We aim to develop a relationship with the patients allowing them to have the dental treatments they need to stay healthy and establish trust with our Mirrabooka dentists and clinical team.
Symptoms of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety can manifest as a fear of a specific procedure, such as a root canal or extraction, or a generalised fear of being vulnerable in the dental chair, and can include:
- Racing heart
- Shallow breathing
- Wishing to put off treatment
- Difficulty even when making an appointment
- Feelings of fear or dread
Dental anxiety may develop due to a past unpleasant experience or for unknown reasons. We don't have to know why you're anxious to help, but communicating about your dental fear will help us approach your care in a tailored and customised way that lets you feel more relaxed, in control and hopeful about your experience.
Our Unique Approach to Dental Anxiety in Mirrabooka
Every good relationship is based on trust, so Dr Duke opens the door of communication before you even step into the clinic. If you have questions or concerns, we can arrange a phone chat to review a strategy to help you feel comfortable before your visit.
Our team will talk to you about ways we can help with your specific type of anxiety. For example, some patients like to block out sounds with headphones, while others benefit from breathing exercises.
We Put You in Control of Your Dental Visit
It's difficult to feel anxious about something when you completely control the appointment from beginning to end. But that's what we do here in our Mirrabooka dental clinic; we put our patients in charge.
- We will thoroughly explain your treatment and what to expect before getting started.
- We ensure your comfort and that the area is fully anaesthetised, if necessary.
- We agree on how to communicate during your dental appointment if you need a break.
- We give you full permission to stop at any time.
- We welcome questions and are open to your concerns.
We believe in empowering our patients and strive to develop a compassionate, caring relationship that can benefit your smile and your emotional well-being while in our care.
Do You Need a Solution to Dental Anxiety in Perth?
If you're scared of the dentist, we want to help! And we invite you to see what others say about our compassionate care and gentle touch.
Let's make this easy and start with a simple phone call to discuss some options with you. Calling our Mirrabooka dental clinic is a big first step to a healthier smile. Our team never passes judgment, even if you have missed a few (or many) check-ups and cleans over the years. Alternatively, Dr Duke is now available for a quick 15-minute chat to help you calm your anxiety.