FEAR… of the Dentist
By Eric Seidel, DMD
Every new patient we see in our office receives a questionnaire. One of the questions asks them to rate their anxiety level about receiving dental care on a scale from 1-10. I am always amazed at the amount of high anxiety that we continue to see in 2015. Some of it is generational, where the level and methods of care delivered in the mid-1900's was not anywhere what it is today. Often times anesthesia was not used or even offered. Many senior patients relate stories of childhood trauma received at the hands of dentists. It is often very difficult for them to get beyond this fear although when they do they become some of our favorite and most loyal patients.
Another group that we often see has had very limited exposure to dental care period. For various reasons, they were never given the opportunity to receive quality care from a young age. They, however, were barraged with stories of wisdom tooth extractions or the ever dreaded "root canal". Although they have never had any bad experiences personally, others are very quick to fill their heads with stories of what may await them if they should seek care. Unfortunately, most then delay seeking care until things have really become involved and they have to undergo more extensive procedures than if routine care was received and treatment was rendered at an early stage. Today, even extractions and root canals can be done painlessly and relatively easily.
One of our practice goals is to provide optimal care in the most compassionate and comfortable manner possible. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of our career as dentists and dental care providers to be able to take someone with a fear level of "11" and have them tell you after a few visits how you have changed their perception of dentistry forever and they actually enjoy coming to see us. We have multiple things at our disposal today to help make dental care pain and anxiety free. Dental anesthetics, although often needed, care be administered in ways that people often feel little to nothing. They are also much more profound and provide a truly painless experience. Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) is a very safe and effective way to help relieve anxiety and make the experience as a whole much more pleasant. Oral sedation can be used in more extreme cases of anxiety. However, I still believe the single most effective way to create a lifetime of good oral health is to introduce children to a good dental home by the age of 1. They will grow up experiencing dentistry without fear and usually have much healthier mouths and brighter dental futures.
If you are part of the 50% of Americans who do not seek routine dental care and fear is the primary reason, I encourage you to explore what modern dentistry has to offer and assure you your fears can be overcome in a pain-free and judgment-free environment by a team of caring professionals. You will not only feel better and be healthier, but you will not have to live with this overwhelming fear that may be getting in the way of you having the healthy mouth and beautiful smile you have always wanted.
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.
Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193
