Dentophobia or the fear of Dentists, dental procedures, and even dental offices is a very real thing. One cannot practice restorative dentistry without a strong awareness of this prevalent issue in patients. Studies show that up to 75% of people have anxiety about going to the Dentist. Awareness of each patient’s origins of Dentophobia helps us create strategies to make our patients more comfortable and more secure on the processes that make them feel best about a dental experience.
One of the more common reasons for Dentophobia is bad or traumatic experiences in a patient’s younger years. This compounds into adulthood, especially when avoidance of the dentist has been the outcome. The decision to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth is a big one and heavily magnified when one experiences Dentophobia. We see it in our patient’s eyes when they come to our office, and we hear it in their voices on the phone. It’s one of the reasons patients can actually text our office to schedule an appointment because we know small steps lead to bigger ones.
Another source of Dentophobia is having family members with dental issues. Hearing about a relative’s dental problems does not foster a positive perception. Certainly, genetics can contribute to having bad teeth affecting tooth enamel, saliva strength, and how the body fights oral bacteria. However, the primary factors affecting teeth are dietary habits and regular dental hygiene including consistent brushing, cleaning, and examinations. In essence, each patient has the substantial control over their oral health.
Dentophobia can also be a very basic and primal fear. A patient lays on their back, and a dentist or hygienist or technician is very close to their head. The patient’s mouth is open, and someone else’s hands and tools are inside the patient’s mouth. Our mouth and nose are how we breathe, and we use our mouth to chew, speak, and swallow. Anything impacting those abilities can feel like a loss of control, and that is very frightening for anyone. We communicate with our patients ahead of time on how to signal discomfort of any kind, how to stop immediately, how to take a break because it’s an instinctual response to protect one’s head and mouth and even abdomen. It’s all about communication because the ability to communicate creates a sense of surety.
At Sewell Dental Arts, we know Dentophobia is real. We know there is a lot of resistance to coming through our front door, but here is the light… we can replace failing or missing teeth with new permanent teeth and get you back to a regular program of oral care. We can give you that fresh look, that fresh confidence, and that fresh start so that your outcome is your own and not hampered by another’s negative perception. I like to think each positive experience at our office builds small layers of confidence which hopefully with each visit minimizes the feelings of Dentophobia.
I know where things need to start. It starts with sharing one’s feelings. I will gladly chat with patients about what causes them the most concern. It’s a beginning towards healing.
I am reminded of the great comedian Joan Rivers who started every great conversation with the words, “Let’s Talk….”