Overcoming anxiety
What can I do to overcome my fear of going to the dentist?
According to the Dental Anxiety & Phobia Association (DAPA), 58% of the people in the UK feel ‘anxious about going to the dentist’. Therefore, dentists understand that many people fear going to the dentist and are sympathetic to their patients’ anxieties.
A major step to overcoming your concerns, is to identify what it is that makes you anxious and explain this to your practice.
You could also ask someone to go to the dentist with you to offer their support and reassurance. Once you are in the dental surgery, ask the dentist to explain what treatment they are proposing to do and to clarify anything that you are not happy about, in order to put your mind at ease.
How can dentists overcome my fear?
There are many ways that dentists can help you to overcome your fears, but firstly you must ensure that you tell them about your anxieties, so that they can understand your concerns. As well as listening to your fears, there are other methods that some dentists use to relax their patients, such as breathing techniques, hypnosis and mild sedation. It is best to talk to your dentist to identify which method is most appropriate for you and to inform them if you are taking any medication.
Is there anyone else that can help?
There are a number of organisations that may be able help with your fear of the dentist:
British Dental Health Foundation,
Eastlands Court
St Peter’s Road
Rugby>
Warwickshire
CV21 3QP
Tel no. 0870 333 11 88
www.dentalhealth.org.uk
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