Dentophobia
Researchers, insurance companies and dentists alike are puzzled by the results of recent studies suggesting that Americans, even when insured, are not seeking dental care often enough to receive the benefits that come from preventative care.
It’s true that few people actually look forward to spending time in the dental chair, but what is causing millions of Americans to avoid seeing a dentist? One piece of the puzzle might be as simple as this: dentophobia or the fear of dentists.
”You can’t just hand people coverage…you need to change people’s attitudes and beliefs.”
Peter Milgrom, DDS, director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington in Seattle, shares that 5%-8% of Americans avoid the dentist out of fear and as much as 20% experience enough anxiety that they will go to the dentist only when absolutely necessary. The majority of patients who experience severe anxiety relate it to a bad experience, the lack of control they feel in the dentist chair, the uncertainty of pain or an unpleasant side-effect.
Unfortunately, the consequence of not going to the dentist reaches far beyond dental pain or even lost teeth; gum disease has been linked to illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
If you are one of the millions that fear the dentist or experience anxiety, there are several things that you can do to help make your visit more enjoyable.
Take Charge
- Go to your appointment with someone you trust and who has no fear of the dentist. Have them sit with you during your treatment.
- Seek distractions during treatment. Bring music to listen to or watch television if available.
- Try to calm your fears by using relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing.
- Talk with your dentist about different sedative options.
The important thing to remember is you are not alone. As your dentist we want to create a non-threatening atmosphere to help you feel comfortable and at ease.
We Care
- We care about you and your family. We have numerous two and three generation families that are a testament that this is true!
- We care about your treatment. Together we can oversee your preventative care and treatment plan as necessary. We will provide you with as many options as possible so you can make informed decisions that are just right for you.
- We care about how you feel. At each visit we will review your treatment every step of the way. We will discuss what you can expect before, during and after your appointment. We want you to be as informed as possible and we want you to be comfortable with the work that we do.
- We care about your needs. We understand that not every patient is created equal. If you have special concerns or requests, please let us know.
- We care about your comfort. We do our best to provide a friendly and welcoming environment with state of the art equipment. Each private treatment room hosts a television and an innovative dental chair with a massage system to help calm and relax you. We also offer sedation options for those who are interested.
We believe in you and we want you to believe in us too. Regular preventative dental care is essential to your overall health. We will do everything possible to help make your visit to our office a positive experience. Our home is your home; we welcome you!
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