How to Choose a Dentist When You Have Dental Anxiety
Some 50 to 80 percent of all American adults experience dental anxiety to varying degrees. For 20 percent of adults, their anxiety prevents them from scheduling regular dental visits. Dental anxiety can be so severe for 9 to 15 percent of adults that they avoid dental care altogether. The fear of pain can be so severe that it can become a phobia.
It could be so severe that you’re afraid you’ll feel the drilling, the implants, and tooth pulling. You may even be nervous that the anesthetic won’t work. While the anxiety is understandable, particularly given any unpleasant experiences with dentists and/or dental procedures in the past. The good news is that there is hope. You can achieve the dental health and wellness you need. You need to find the right dentist.
Factors to Consider When Searching for a Dentist
The right dentist will help you feel comfortable and at ease to build trust with the practice, staff, and your dentist. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right dentist to address your dental anxiety.
Emergency Care:
It’s important to know your dentist’s full range of services. For your peace of mind, you also need to know whether your dentist can handle any situation that might come up. That level of care means you can feel confident you have access to emergency care when needed.
Experience:
Your dentist should have the education and clinical experience that you need. You need dental experts you can trust, with the authenticity that only comes with interaction and caring in a busy practice.
Testimonials:
What do the reviews say about your dentist? How do they describe the office staff and technicians? You need to know that you can trust their care and service, but you should find out more about the experience of others.
Financing:
What are the costs of treatment, and what does your insurance cover? What are the payment options for the procedure you need and comfort care options? What financing options are available? What are the terms and requirements for financing?
Dental Sedation:
What sedation dentistry options does your dentist offer? What is your dentist’s office’s level of training and experience with sedation dentistry? Does your dentist offer conscious sedation or other methods of sedation?
Comfort Care:
What options do they offer for comfort care? Do they offer warm blankets, music, or television to comfort and offer diversion? What about aromatherapy or sound therapy? Do you think you can feel relaxed in their care, based on what you’ve experienced so far?
Why Choosing the Right Dentist is So Important
The right dentist will be dedicated to alleviating your dental anxiety and assuring that your dental health and wellness needs are served. But it also requires an honest conversation. You must be ready and willing to talk about your anxiety. If it’s severe enough, you might even consult with a mental health professional, so you can cope with your dental anxiety and even phobia.
Share your previous bad experiences with your dentist and talk with the dental team about the strategies and coping mechanisms that will help you get through the visit. While relaxation, visualization, and distraction are all powerful tools, you should be prepared to advocate for yourself. Continue to express what you’re feeling and focus on achieving your dental health and wellness goals.
Conclusion: Schedule Your Consult at Dental Brothers Today!
Dental Brothers is your dental practice in Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated to serving your dental health and wellness needs at both Mesa and Phoenix locations. Our dentists and staff specialize in offering sedation dentistry, sleep treatment, and comfort care options for dental anxiety. We want to help you feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home in our care.
We specialize in sedation dentistry, dental implants, and emergency dental work. We’re dedicated to your comfort and safety every day. That’s why we carefully evaluate your health and dental situation before we make recommendations for the dental care solutions that should work best for you. We can’t wait to see your beautiful smile! Contact us today to learn how we can help you!
