Anxiety at the Dentist

Being afraid of the Dentist

This can mean many different things to different people. For some, smells or sounds may bring back unpleasant memories. For others, it may be the needle used to give anaesthetic for treatment, or even the feeling of vulnerability when lying in the chair. It may be helpful for you to try and distinguish exactly what it is about the dentist you do not like, so we can help you to work at overcoming those anxieties.

I’ve always been scared of the dentist since I was a child

For many older patients, fear of the dentist comes from unpleasant childhood memories from many years ago. Dental techniques and equipment have developed greatly, and modern treatments are minimally uncomfortable and can be virtually painless. If this is the case for you, you will probably find upon braving your return visit to the dentist that things have improved vastly, and this simple step may be all it takes to beginning to overcome your anxieties.

Are there any treatment options at DCO that can help with my anxiety?

At DCO Dental, we understand how anxieties affect our patients and will work with you at your own pace. For those with mild anxieties, it may be enough for us to allow a little extra time for you, or to distract yourself during treatment with things such as listening to music through headphones, or simply having the dentist and nurse talk to you and explain every step as treatment progresses.

For patients with more severe anxieties and phobias, we have staff trained to administer treatment through Intravenous Sedation