Scott Greenhalgh DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry

Friday, March 12, 2010

If you are afraid of the dentist, what helps most?

Statics say that 50% of the population doesn't visit the dentist regularly. That would be like if NO women ever went to the dentist. That's a lot of people. I have found that one of the most profound reasons people don't see the dentist is because they are simply afraid.

It often starts with some crummy childhood dental visit. Something to the effect of he didn't believe me when I said that it hurt. The dentist just ignored them, just kept doing his thing....didn't really have time to be bothered.

It's really sad. I saw at least three new patients this week who hadn't been to the dentist for many years. They took a chance again, that maybe THIS time, the experience would be better, that things would work out (they did great!).

After seeing people with a range of issues from normal nervousness to paralysis, or that they can barely get in through the door of our cosmetic dentist office, to being deeply emotional, to a the cold sweats. I have seen about every severe type of anxiety about visiting the dentist.

So, what helps most? Get a pencil and write this down. LISTENING.

There are some really great advances with sedation and sleep dentistry. They do have a profound role in helping heal these anxieties, but really, most can be healed with listening.

I have found that by listening for the clues to want went poorly before, strategizing a new way to specifically avoid that problem, and then discussing it together, well, it fixes things a lot.

SO, if you are anxious about care you have put off, first look for a dentist with a track record that listens (see our dentist reviews for examples).

No need to put it off any longer, start the healing today.

It all starts with a simple conversation... so contact us today.

Labels: best Denver dentist, cosmetic dentist reviews, dental anxiety, dental fear, oral sedation, sedation, sedation dentist