Whether you are new to an area or have lived there for a while, if the thought of attending a dental appointment sends you into a cold sweat, you will need to find a dental professional who is understanding and compassionate.
Dental phobia is incredibly common and while it can feel isolating, it is important that those who would rather go skydiving than attend a check-up know that many dental surgeries are able to offer anxiety reducing techniques during procedures. The days of getting a lecture from your dentist in Mackay are long gone and in modern dentistry, dental professionals simply want to help you regain good oral health.
So what are some of the anxiety reducing options you are likely to find at a dental practice that handles phobic patients? Read on to find out!
Open communication
There is sometimes a bit of a communication barrier when attending a dental check-up. The dental practitioner seems to call out random numbers and letters to the nurse, while describing each tooth with a medical term. Whilst this is normal, in order to chart your dental health, it can be a little unnerving.
If you are attending a dental check-up and you are nervous, let the team know before you sit in the chair or even before you book your appointment. We will help you! Your dentist in Mackay will be more than happy to discuss with you ways to communicate with them through the procedure, signalling if you want them to stop or if something is uncomfortable.
Playing music
For many people who are phobic of a dental check-up, it is the sound of the drill that gets them sweating.
Discuss this with your dental team; they will certainly have heard this before and may be able to offer you a soundless drill for any restoration work or they may be able to provide you with headphones to wear during the procedure. Why not take your own set in, with your own music? That way you can listen to familiar music, while they get on with repairing your teeth. We won’t mind at all!
Watching television
Some dental surgeries go one step further and can even offer patients a television set to watch, suspended just above the dental chair.
You may even be able to bring in your favourite DVD to distract you; this is especially helpful if you are undertaking a longer procedure and need to keep yourself focussed on something longer than a song.
Conscious sedation
Need something a bit stronger than music or TV?
Many dental surgeries are able to offer sedation to nervous patients; in the case of conscious sedation, this could be in the form of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a sedative which will calm your nerves and allow you to relax. Once treatment is complete, you will have little recollection and will be able to go on with your day.
Intravenous sedation
Intravenous sedation is an injection, which, similar to conscious sedation, will blank your memory and calm your nerves.
If you want to take up this option, tt is necessary to have a responsible family member or friend with you to take you home afterwards to keep an eye on you for 24 hours afterwards.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
