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I have been scared of the dentist for a long while – what is it like nowadays?
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Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years, that modern dental
treatment can now be completely painless. Despite this, most people still feel a
little nervous at the thought of going to the dentist. If you have not been to see
a dentist for some time, you will probably find that things have improved a lot
since your last visit. The general attitude is likely to be more relaxed, the dental
techniques and safety procedures will be much better, and the equipment will be
more up to date.
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Why am I afraid of the dentist?
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Being ‘afraid of the dentist’ may mean different things to different people. It
will probably help if you work out just what it is that worries you most. Maybe
the sounds and smells bring back memories of bad experiences as a child, or the
thought that having treatment will hurt. The good news is that more and more dentists
now understand their patients’ fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness
can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part of life.
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How do I choose a dentist?
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The first fear to deal with is the fear of admitting to other people that you are
afraid of dental treatment. If you can discuss it with your friends or colleagues
you are likely to find someone else who has similar problems, and who may be able
to recommend a dentist to you. A dentist who is personally recommended by another
nervous person is usually a very good choice. It can also be a good idea to look
in the Yellow Pages for practices that mention treatment for nervous patients.
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Do some practices specialise in treating nervous patients?
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Don’t be afraid to contact several practices before you decide which one is right
for you. It may be easier for you if a friend makes some preliminary phone calls.
Ask to speak to the practice manager, and find out if they make any special arrangements
for nervous patients. If they don’t sound right for you, don’t make an appointment
but go on until you find a practice you really like the sound of.
As someone who is nervous about dental treatment, you need to be looked after by
a dental practice that will take special care of you – it’s just a matter of finding
the right one for you. You may need to travel some distance, but it will be worth
the effort when you are no longer afraid.
Often people find their fears change. After finally finding a dentist they like,
they may still dislike dentists in general, but they have complete confidence in
their ‘own’ dentist.
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Who can I talk to?
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There are many organisations that help people suffering from phobias. Most of them
also offer help to people nervous of the dentist because it is a very common problem.
Contact the British Dental Health Foundation’s Dental Helpline on 0870 333 11 88
to discuss your fears and find out about other organisations to contact.
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I haven’t been to the dentist in a long time – will I need a lot of treatment?
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Years ago it was normal for people to need fillings every time they went to their
dentist, but things have changed for the better now. With the help of your dentist
and hygienist, the aim now is for healthy teeth and mouths that stay healthy. Using
a fluoride toothpaste will help to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay. Therefore,
you may be surprised at how little treatment you need. Teeth are for life and can
last a lifetime if they are looked after properly. If you can get your mouth into
good shape, with the help of the dentist and dental hygienist, you should need less
treatment and there will be less for the dentist to do in the future. It is important
to keep up your regular visits to the dentist, not only to monitor tooth decay,
but also to help prevent gum disease. Once your mouth is healthy, your visits to
the practice will often just be easy sessions for checking and cleaning.
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How do I start going to the dentist if I am nervous?
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It may be helpful for you to see the practice before you arrange an appointment.
Call in to speak to the receptionist, and see what the atmosphere is like. Do the
other people there look cheerful and happy? Does it give you a feeling of confidence?
Perhaps you could meet the dentist and have a look around the practice as a visitor.
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What will happen at the first appointment?
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Your first appointment should just be for a consultation. See it as an opportunity
for you to ‘interview’ the dentist, receptionist and dental nurse, and have a chat
about what to expect next.
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What type of treatment should I choose?
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Most dentists today offer some form of treatment for nervous patients, whether they
work in the National Health Service or privately. The NHS covers most treatments
necessary to treat nervous patients. The main advantage of private practice is that
more time can be spent with you to help you feel relaxed.
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Should I tell the dental team that I am nervous?
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Make sure that the practice knows you are nervous, so that they can help you.
Tell your dentist what it is that you paricularly dislike about dental treatment.
If you think you know the reason, tell your dentist what may have caused your fear.
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I am afraid of injections – what can I do?
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Many people are scared of the local anaesthetic injection needed to numb the tooth.
Again, be sure to tell the dentist that this is something that bothers you. There
are anaesthetic gels that can be applied to the area of the gum to be injected.
This gel numbs the gum so that you cannot feel the needle.
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What is the best time of day to visit the dentist?
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Book appointments at a time of day when you feel at your best, and when you do not
have any other commitments to worry about. Allow plenty of time so that you can
get to the practice in a relaxed frame of mind – arriving in a rush will only make
you feel more nervous. It is usually best to have something to eat before you go,
so there is no chance of you feeling faint while you are in the chair
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Should I eat before going to the dentist?
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It is usually best to have something to eat before you go, so there is no chance
of you feeling faint while you are in the chair. If you are going to have a treatment,
where you cannot eat beforehand, the dentist or nurse will give you full instructions.
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Can I take a friend with me?
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People often feel better if a friend comes with them to the practice. Think about
what would suit you best. A reassuring and capable friend is often a great help.
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I have gone for a check-up, what do I do next?
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Take things one step at a time. Discuss any proposed treatment with your dentist,
and decide what you feel you can cope with. This may be no more than an examination
with a dental mirror first. If you succeed with that, you may feel you could have
your teeth polished next, probably by the dental hygienist. Don’t be afraid to say
when you have had enough - there is usually no reason to hurry through the dental
treatment.
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Can I take anything with me?
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Listening to music is a good way to help you relax. Some practices have it playing
in the treatment rooms, but the best way is to take a personal stereo so that you
can have your own choice of music. In this way you can concentrate on your music
– or anything else you like to listen to – and will not hear the sounds of the treatment.
You will be able to distance yourself from the dental treatment as the sounds in
your ears take all your attention.
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What else can I do to help me relax during treatment?
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Thinking hard about something other than the treatment is a good distraction. Try
to solve a puzzle in your mind, or perhaps work out a plan for each day of next
year’s holiday. Or give yourself something tricky to do - try to wiggle each toe
in turn, without moving any of the others.
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How can the dental team help me?
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Your dentist should be happy to both talk to you and listen to you. Just talking
about your fears can help lessen them. He or she should tell you what treatment
you need, why you need it and what the fee will be.
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Can I ask the dentist to stop if I need to?
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Agree with your dentist a sign that means ‘stop now - I need a break’ before the
treatment is started. Usually you can just raise your hand, and the treatment can
be stopped for a few minutes until you are ready to start again. Once you know that
you can control the situation you will feel more confident.
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How can I feel more comfortable about treatment?
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Is there some way that the dentist or assistant could help you during the treatment?
Would you like them to talk to you, have background music playing, or describe exactly
what they are doing while they are working? Let them know what would help to distract
you.
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How can I reduce the amount of treatment needed?
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Your dentist and hygienist can work with you and tell you what to do to keep your
mouth healthy. The healthier your mouth is, the less treatment you will need in
the future.
You will probably be given advice about ways your diet can safeguard your teeth
and gums, and the best way of brushing and flossing. Looking after your teeth at
home can be the most important part of all.
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What other techniques are available to help?
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There are various methods available, and it will depend which methods the practice
is experienced with and which you feel would help you most. Relaxation techniques
can often be learned from specialist teachers or at home and can be very useful
in controlling anxiety. (See our leaflet ‘Tell Me About Relaxation & Sedation’)
Many practices offer several types of sedation, including inhalation (‘gas and air’)
and intravenous (by injection). Other practices offer hypnosis and relaxation techniques.
You would learn these techniques, which would allow you to gain control over your
feelings of distress or fear. Counselling is another way of dealing with feelings
of anxiety. This is usually carried out by a member of the practice team, in a room
away from the surgery. You would be encouraged to discuss your fears so that they
may be dealt with and overcome.
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What about sedation?
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Patients who feel they need some extra help can be given a sedative medication,
often called intravenous sedation or IV. This makes them feel sleepy and very relaxed.
Treatment with this type of sedation often works well, particularly for long treatment
sessions, as you are very relaxed but still awake.
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Will I still know what is happening?
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Your dentist can still talk to you, but time passes more quickly and you are usually
unaware of the treatment being carried out. Because the sedative takes some hours
to completely wear off, you must have someone to help you get home and to keep a
careful eye on you for some time afterwards.
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Can I have Gas and Air?
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Gas and Air or ‘Relative Analgesia’ is a mixture of 25% nitrous oxide, 25% oxygen,
and 50% air. You breathe it through a nosepiece and it is easily controlled by the
dentist. You stay awake, but are unconcerned about the treatment or the surroundings.
Recovery time is quick. The mixture leaves the body after just one or two deep breaths
of oxygen.
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Can I go to sleep for treatment?
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General anaesthetics are now not generally available for routine treatment. When
a general anaesthetic is needed, patients are referred to hospitals or specialist
clinics where the necessary safety equipment is available.
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Will things get better with time?
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As you get to know and trust your dentist, hygienist and other members of the practice
you will find your fears begin to lessen. In time you will gain control over your
fears, and dental care can become a normal part of your life.
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What will it cost me?
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The charge will be the same as for normal treatment, but if you are having sedation
there will be an extra charge. It is always recommended that you get a written estimate
before starting treatment.
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