Dealing with dental phobia

Almost half of people fear the dentist, with 12 per cent suffering a full-blown phobia. Michele O’Connor looks at the options available to soothe anxious patients

Distraction techniques

Distraction includes having someone talking to you during your treatment, listening to music or concentrating your thoughts on other things – whether that’s counting sheep or writing a shopping list. It all helps the mind focus elsewhere.

“The aim is to relax the patient and some dentists work alongside psychotherapists and teach breathing techniques to help calm nervous patients,” explains Dr Rhona Eskander, phobia-certified dentist (chelseadentalclinic.co.uk).

“Noise-cancelling headphones and a TV on the ceiling so patients can watch a DVD are useful,” she adds.

Numbing gel

“One of the main reasons people hate going to the dentist is the injection,” explains Dr Eskander. A topical anaesthetic gel, such as lidocaine, rubbed on to the gums beforehand to numb the area can make a big difference.

The WAND

This is a computerised device that controls the flow of anaesthetic – allowing it to be administered slowly.

“Anaesthetic being delivered too quickly is a usual cause of pain,” says Dr Eskander.

Nucalm

This neuroscience technology uses sensory techniques to create a relaxed state of mind in three to five minutes.

Using four relaxation therapies in sequence, it mimics the body’s own process for winding down for sleep by lowering high beta brain waves, associated with fear, to alpha brain waves, linked with meditation. Unlike sedatives, there is no grogginess.

A blindfold and headphones are then worn during treatment.

Dental button

“A lack of control is another reason why people are scared to visit a dentist,” explains Dr Eskander. The dental button is a small, hand-held device connected to the dentist’s drill, enabling the patient to pause treatment.

Sedation

This is where medication is used to induce a relaxed, dreamlike state. “Crucially, although patients are drowsy, they remain awake and able to respond,” explains Dr Eskander.

Sedation can be given orally, through inhalation or intravenously.

Hypnotherapy Some dentists, such as Dr Samantha Jugdev (thirtythreedental.co.uk), use hypnotherapy.

She says: “I get the patient to focus on a particular point so everything else is out of focus, and talk them through to deep relaxation before embarking on treatment. It’s important for them to know that they are in control and can come out of the hypnosis whenever they like.

“My training influences how I phrase what I say to clients, and I use the tone and speed of my voice to create an atmosphere of trust.

Gentle dentistry

This is where a combination of approaches and techniques are used.

Dr Safa Al-Naher, an expert in treating patients with dental phobia, has created ‘The Enjoyable Dentistry Technique’ (serenedental.co.uk).

“The method uses nitrous oxide-oxygen conscious sedation, hypnosis and anxiety management to counteract dental fears,” she says.

She adds it was tested in a placebo controlled study – with 98 per cent of patients benefiting from pain-free, comfortable and relaxed dentistry.

HealOzone

This technology can prevent tooth decay using ozone – a natural disinfectant. The HealOzone machine converts oxygen into ozone gas, which is passed through a tool that can target areas in the mouth with a concentrated stream.

As it’s a gas, it can get into tiny fissures and cracks to kill off bacteria, viruses and fungi, stopping decay in its tracks. Used early enough, it removes the need for fillings.

■ For access to phobia-certified dentists, go to dentalphobia.co.uk