Nervous Patients

Dental health is an important component of overall health, but dental phobia, dental anxiety, dental fear, and fear of needles or anaesthesia are major obstacles to receiving proper dental care.

Dental phobia is the serious, often paralysing, fear of seeking dental care. It is one of the reasons many people avoid visiting the dentist. In terms of dental health and overall wellbeing, this can have serious ramifications.

The key factor for good oral hygiene is prevention - stopping problems before they arise. Phobic patients who suffer from severe anxiety do not visit the dentist for regular care. Unfortunately, this can result in more complex problems.

Coping with dental phobia

When contacting the dental centre to make an appointment, do not be embarrassed to explain you are a nervous patient. Our dental team will support you through your visit to the centre.

Once you are with the dentist, explain what makes you anxious - different things affect different people, so talk to us. It is our aim to provide you with the best possible care. We will start with making you comfortable and gaining your trust.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. If dental treatment is required, remember, explanation and clarification of any and all procedures proposed are part of the service. We tell you and show you as much or as little as you want. Please tell us how much treatment you think you can tolerate at first. Also, you can have input into the treatment choices and decisions. As your confidence builds, the length of the appointment and the treatment carried out can be increased.

It may help you to eat a light meal prior to your appointment. An empty stomach can increase anxiety, while a full stomach is more relaxing. Tea, coffee, etc. should be avoided, as these are both stimulants.

In your initial discussions with the dentist, agree a stop signal to be used during treatment. This could be, for example, raising your left hand. This will allow you to have control throughout the procedure.