As many as 20% of the population avoid going to the dentist because of fear. Dentistry must meet the challenge of reducing patient anxiety over receiving dental treatment. Some dentists work hard to create an Anxiety-Free dental office for their patients.
This starts with creating an environment that is friendly and non-clinical. Having a fun look at wall colors and patterned wall and floor designs can help to achieve this. Displays of art and vintage Rock n Roll memorabilia in various areas can create the feel that you are not in a medical facility. If the people who work in the office are friendly and supportive, it counts tremendously in reducing dental fear.
Of course, the dentist must principally exude this warm, empathetic welcome. Most people know that Novocaine can block tooth discomfort. But not everyone has had the opportunity to experience a painless Novocain injection, which is most often possible, using a slow injection and distraction techniques.
Additional measures to relax the anxious patient include the use of Nitrous Oxide (laughing) gas. This safe, relaxing gas can give a patient a relaxed, euphoric, brave feeling, but only while it is breathed through a small nose piece. There are no residual effects, and patients feel normal a minute after ceasing to breathe nitrous oxide.
Hypnotic drugs can create a sleepy state for patients with an extremely high anxiety level, obliterating the anxiety barrier from the treatment. We call this Oral Conscious Sedation. During the period this drug is active, hours of dental care can be accomplished in just one visit with the patient having little or no recollection of the work or even recalling them to the dentist!
For more information, see Chandler sedation dentist.
Chandler Cosmetic Dentist
Kelly Jorn Cook, DDS
3800 West Ray Road, Ste 19
Chandler, AZ 85226