I have been a dentist for 26 years now. For most of that time I have looked after people who would describe themselves as ‘dental phobics’. I seem to have ‘a way’ of helping them or more accurately, helping them to help themselves.
Why are people scared of the dentist?
There are as many answers to this question as there are people who are scared!
I always ask people about their experiences as the dentist and why they feel like they do. Peoples answers usually revolve around their own dental history. A difficult dental extraction, feeling pain during their treatment, or feeling like they were being ‘told off’ for the state of their mouth. Quite often childhood experiences and the ‘school dentist’ feature heavily.
Sometimes a relative had a tough time at the dentist and the fear has been passed on.
Some fears are more general such as not being in control, loud noises or fear of water. These can manifest as dental fears and grow to become an issue at the dentist when its not really the dental treatment that is the cause.
Its helpful to try and understand your fear, where it comes from, particular triggers for you. That way you can share this information with your dentist and learn to manage it skilfully.
Some people I treat want to know every little thing I am doing, in as great a detail as I can provide it. For them, this knowledge makes them feel safe. Other people really dislike knowing what I am doing and prefer it if I keep a running commentary about what my kids are doing after school, or what’s going on with my boiler at home; anything apart from what I am doing in their mouths. You can see how important it is that we both know about their particular preferences.
By knowing what you find hard we can work together to make your experience the best it can be.
We can only do this if you understand your fear, and tell me as much as you can about it.