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Dental Care Fears & Anxiety—10 Comforting Facts

INTRODUCTION

A good number of people have unjustified fears or anxieties regarding dental care. Some of that fear springs from misconceptions and myths; others spring from bad experiences they have accidentally bumped into in the past.

The good news is that a number of important facts—some of which may not be known to you--can help allay some of those fears and sources of anxiety.

TEN REASSURING FACTS WORTH KNOWING

--Diagnostic procedures today involve less ionizing radiation and often take less time than in the past: Thanks in part to things like digital X-ray technology and CEPH X-rays, dental imaging tools not only expose patients to much less ionizing radiation, but they work faster, better and a lower costs.

--In some cases, equipment that used to instill fear (like the drill) can sometimes be bypassed, as in the use of air abrasion and Waterlase: Your local dentists today have more choices than ever before, thus being better able to accommodate patient’s needs and preferences.

--Medications and anesthesia can be used which can literally make the whole experience completely pain-free and fast: Oraqix, for example, can eliminate the need for needle-applied anesthesia—in other words, pain-removal tools need not be painful anymore.

--Dental treatments obtained today can eliminate need for potentially painful procedures later: A root canal, for example, an obviate need for a tooth removal (which itself may have a domino effect on treatments needed) later on.

--Dental offices today use a number of tools to make every patient’s experience pleasant and comfortable: This can include music and video entertainment, new technology that greatly cuts on treatment times and duration, and prevention strategies designed to anticipate/obviate problems.

--Every day new technology options are becoming available that should make dental care more accessible for everyone: Some people avoid dental care because of cost fears and concerns; because of the reduced costs of new options, however, these fears are becoming unfounded.

--Fear of the dentist—termed dentophobia—does not make anyone weird or silly: Because of the drastic changes in dentistry (for better), many people today fear dentists because they are simply not aware of these improvements.

--Modern dental diagnostic techniques/tools are very accurate/efficacious: This means that problems can often be discovered/treated with just one visit.

--Modern dental tools carry less risk and fewer negative side effects: Waterlase, for example, which can now be used in place of drills, does not impose damage to surrounding healthy teeth.

--Oral cancer detection may no longer require invasive surgical biopsies: With the use of ViziLite (which uses light to detect unhealthy tissue), for example, cancer detection can be quick, painless and efficient.

CONCLUSION

Fortunately, there are a number of facts today which can greatly enhance expectations patients have of dental care; they should also reduce the many (mostly unfounded) fears and anxieties that often prevent people from seeking dental care.

Resources & References

https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2012/09/8-ways-to-take-the-fear-away-from-dental-phobic-patients.html

https://www.dentalguide.co.uk/patient-guides/a-guide-to-dental-phobia/

12/4/2019 8:00:00 AM

Written by Fred Fletcher

Fred Fletcher is a hard working Consumer Advocacy Health Reporter. Education: HT-CNA; DT-ATA; MS/PhD Post-Graduate Certificates/Certifications: • Project Management • Food Safety • HIPAA Compliance • Bio-statistical Analysis & Reporting • Regulatory Medical Writing • Life Science Programs Theses & Dis...

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Comments

I just wanted to add that sometimes you may have to see a doctor instead of a dentist. Although dentists can't treat medical problems we physicians can treat dental patients if for example an infection is going on or your dental problems are connected to a non-dental ailment or if you are in such pain or discomfort that we have to treat you if only to buy you some time until you can see a dentist. When I did my rounds in the ER I often treated people with dental issues simply because in the town where I was stationed there were no dental services on the weekends. As far as I know that continues to be a problem to this day in many communities here and in other countries.

Posted by Dr. Dario Herrera

So are you saying that needles into your gums are not painful or necessary. I beg to differ I definitely feel them, try telling my Dentist that I don't need those needles. hah

Posted by S. Caceres

What about us people who have no idea why we are scared. We just can't stop shaking. We can't catch our breath. We hyperventilate. We can't breath. We get dizzy. We gave, throw up, etc.

Posted by Cheryl Signor

Dentists still use too much X-ray imaging but, you're right, Fred, the best dentists exercise more caution or you as the patient can demand that less exposure to radiation be used!

Posted by Susan Blakely