living with dental phobia - shamblott family dentistry · paralyzing fear that causes otherwise...

Living with Dental Phobia

Do you have it and how can you empower your fear?

Shamblott Family Dentistry | 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 | Hopkins, MN 55343 (952) 935-5599 | 952-935-7842 fax

www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com

http://www.shamblottfamilydentistry.com/

http://shamblottfamilydentistry.com/

Shamblott Family Dentistry | 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 Hopkins, MN 55343 | (952) 935-5599 | 952-935-7842 fax www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com

2 ©2011


Table of Contents

Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 4

Living with Dental Phobia ............................................................................................. 5

Do You Have Dental Phobia .......................................................................................... 6

Take this Dental Anxiety Self-Test ............................................................................... 7

Why Am I Afraid of the Dentist ..................................................................................... 8

The Ultimate Consequences of Dental Phobia.......................................................... 10

Empowering Ways to Deal with Dental Fears ........................................................... 12

Choose a Dentist Who Openly Communicates with You ........................................... 13

You, Not the Dentist Should Be In Control ................................................................. 13

Your Dentist Should Never Embarrass You ............................................................... 14

Secret to a Fear Free, Pain Free Experience ............................................................ 15

Distraction Tools ....................................................................................................... 16

Various Levels of Local Anesthesia .......................................................................... 17

Sedation Dentistry May Be Your Best Option ........................................................... 18

A Positive Relationship with Your Dentist ............................................................... 19

Choosing the Right Dentist if you have Dental Anxiety ........................................... 20

How to Find Your No-Fear Dentist ........................................................................... 21


This guide to dental phobia and other options is a comprehensive look at the current options in “no fear’ dentistry. It was written to give consumers a roadmap to follow when searching for a “no fear” dentist.

While the information in this consumer guide is up-to-date and accurate, it is still general in nature and in no way should be construed as medical advice and should not be considered a replacement for advice from a dental professional.

Purpose


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Please consult a dental professional before deciding on a course of action. This guide is presented by Dr. Shamblott, a “no fear” sedation dentist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He can be reached to schedule a free consultation at (952) 935-5599.


http://shamblottfamilydentistry.com/

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Dental Phobia is a legitimate anxiety suffered by millions of people in every society. It can be found in all social-economic groups, across every race and religion, and it has no respect for age or achievement. And the health consequences it causes those affected by it can only be measured in billions of dollars of treatment of late stage oral disease and damage.

For those who are victimized by this debilitating problem, it can seem like a bottomless pit of despair from which there is no escape. Yet, many who suffer from dental phobia have found a way out.

While it is not likely that there will ever be a cure for dental phobia, there are now dentists who focus on helping these people get the proper dental care they need while respecting their fears and helping to make their dental treatment a fear-free and painless experience.

First, however, we need to define dental phobia before we look at ways to help dental anxiety sufferers…



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Dental fear is not black and white. There is a whole spectrum of dental fear ranging from mild discomfort all the way to phobia. What’s the difference?

FEAR – fear is a normal human emotion designed to heighten our senses in the presence of danger. It is a built-in survival mechanism.

ANXIETY – Anxiety differs from fear in that, rather than being an emotional reaction to an existing situation, it is based on the anticipation of something bad happening at a future time. In other words, it is a fear based on something that may not even happen or may not happen as anticipated.

PHOBIA – Phobia is an overwhelming and often debilitating fear that actually prevents a person from doing something; even if that something is obviously in their own best interest. In some cases, a phobia can actually lead to a situation that is more dangerous than the thing for situation that is more dangerous than the thing or situation that is feared; in this case, avoiding dental care sometime for years.



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If you are one of the estimated 30-40 million Americans who avoid regular dental care because of fear or anxiety about the dentist, you may have dental phobia. Dental phobia is a deep-seated, often paralyzing fear that causes otherwise healthy people to avoid their dentist until problems caused by years of neglect force them to cross the dreaded threshold of the dentist office. Unfortunately, this lack of dental care can lead to catastrophic health problems and even death.

We all know that regular visits to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings are the best way to avoid serious and expensive dental problems through both prevention and catching potential issues and treating them when it is a simple matter.

However, in spite of this logic, if you find the only time you go to your dentist is when driven by unbearable pain, it is very likely you suffer from dental phobia.

So how did you get to this unfortunate place? Let’s look at some of the reasons you may have found your life ruled by fear instead of your best interests…

c 2011 Shamblott Family Dentistry | 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 Hopkins, MN 55343 | (952) 935-5599 | 952-935-7842 fax www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com

6

Do you have Dental Phobia?


1. Have you ever cancelled a dental appointment because you were overwhelmed with fear?

2. Have you ever had a dental experience, perhaps in your childhood that

was especially painful or frightening? 3. Does your anxiety seem to grow and feed on itself as you wait in the

office for your appointment? 4. Do you anticipate the dentist ridiculing you or chastising you for your

dental hygiene? 5. Does the appearance of the dentist’s tools fill you with dread? 6. Does sitting in the dentist chair cause you to fidget or grip the arms

tightly? 7. Are you frightened by the thought of anesthesia (Novocain) injections? 8. Do you have a sensitive gage reflex? Are you afraid of choking or

gagging from objects placed in your mouth? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you probably have dental phobia. You should discuss these questions and answers with your dentist. They should respect these fears and have plans to help you deal with them comfortably.


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Take This Dental Anxiety Self-Test


There are a multitude of reasons why people fear the dentist and your dentist should respect your fears and be willing to offer you options to help you feel safe and comfortable during your visit to the dentist office.

Let’s look at some common causes of dental phobia…

There are a multitude of reasons why people fear the dentist and your dentist should respect your fears and be willing to offer you options to help you feel safe and comfortable during your visit to the dentist office.

Let’s look at some common causes of dental phobia…

• A painful or frightening experience at the dentist. This can be especially debilitating if it occurred in childhood.

• Stories told by family members or friends you are especially close to about their negative experiences with a dentist.

• An overwhelming sense of helplessness when in the dentist’s chair.


Why Am I Afraid of the Dentist?

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• The sights, sounds and smells associated with the dental experience.

• Experiencing a dentist who humiliated or embarrassed you by being insensitive to your fears or chastising you for neglecting dental care.

• The stern and impersonal feel of some dentist offices reinforced by the need for masks, shields and gloves. This can be made worse by a lack of communication and being treated like “just another patient” on an “assembly line.”

• Fear of the unknown often exasperated by a complete lack of knowledge of the treatment and processes involved.

There are other causes of dental fear and anxiety that are just as legitimate as these. How you and your dentist deal with these fears is only partially dependent on the cause of your fears. There are many things both you and your dentist can do to alleviate these fears and many of them will help regardless of the cause…


Why Am I Afraid of the Dentist? (cont.)

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We all know, or have heard tales of one person or relative who lived an unhealthy lifestyle or ignored their health and never seemed to suffer any negative consequences. These individuals are extremely rare. Most of us will pay a difficult and painful price for ignoring our health. Dental care is certainly no exception.

The enemy of healthy teeth is bacteria.

Bacteria clings to the surfaces of teeth and uses the sugars from food to create an acid that damages the tooth’s surfaces by removing the minerals from the protective enamel. This results in tooth decay and cavities. Repairing mild cases of tooth decay simply requires drilling away the damaged areas and repairing them with natural appearing tooth colored filling materials.


The Ultimate Consequences of Dental Phobia

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If the decay is not removed quickly it will progress toward the nerve. This will result in a painful toothache and infection. This is usually treated with a root canal to remove the infection and a crown or a cap over the tooth to protect it from cracking or breaking.


Another serious problem from the lack of dental care is periodontal disease or gum disease.

The early form of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. Everyone will have gingivitis at least once in their life. It is simply unavoidable. However, regular brushing and flossing twice a day combined with regular checkups and professional cleanings every six months will keep gingivitis in check and prevent it from turning into periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is preventable and treatable. However if left untreated it will destroy the bone support for your teeth. This loss of bone support will cause your teeth to become loose or mobile and will eventually result in the loss of your teeth. Periodontal disease can increase your risk of many serious health problems that include diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

Regular examinations with x-rays give the dentist the chance to evaluate the condition of your mouth and diagnose problems when they are small, less expensive and comfortable to treat. This will help to avoid toothaches and dental pain in the future. The examination also gives the dentist the chance to check for oral cancer. Like most things in dentistry, oral cancer is best treated in its earliest stages.

Maybe the saddest consequence of dental phobia is a lifetime of never smiling, the low level of self-confidence, and the limits it places on your ability to be successful in both the marketplace and in personal relationships.


The Ultimate Consequences of Dental Phobia (cont.)

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There are three facts we want to impress on you about dental phobia:

1. You are not alone in your fears. Almost 50% of Americans have at least some fear of the dentist.

2. Fear is not some mystery feeling that just “happens.” It is a learned response and anything that is learned can be unlearned.

3. You don’t have to face your fears alone. There are dentist offices that focus in dental phobia who respect and empathize with your fear. They will work with you to help you overcome your fears and help you have a relaxed experience in a safe and comfortable environment.


Empowering Ways to Deal with Your Dental Fears

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The most empowering thing your dentist can do is to be openly communicative and answer any questions you may have about any procedure. What’s more, both the dentist and the staff should listen to your concerns and address them in a respectful manner.

A dentist who understands how crippling dental phobia can be will discuss your treatment options with you and, not only request and consider your input, but work with you to develop a treatment program that accommodates your fears and concerns.

You, Not the Dentist, Should Be in Control… Unfortunately, some who suffer from dental anxiety have been chastised or humiliated by an insensitive dentist. Perhaps they gave you a difficult time about neglecting your dental care or you simply feel embarrassed by your current dental condition.

A dentist who focuses in dental phobia patients will treat you with dignity and respect. And there are a plethora of treatment options that offer a pain-free experience when you work with the right dentist.


Choose a Dentist Who Openly Communicates With You…

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Unfortunately, some who suffer from dental anxiety have been chastised or humiliated by an insensitive dentist. Perhaps they gave you a difficult time about neglecting your dental care or you simply feel embarrassed by your current dental condition.



Your Dentist Should Never Embarrass You…

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While your dentist and their team should be an integral part of helping you relax, there are things you can do to enhance your sense of relaxation while in the dentist chair. Since anxiety and relaxation cannot exist in the body at the same time, anything you do to enhance your relaxation will reduce your anxiety and make your experience more enjoyable.

If you are unfamiliar with the many relaxation or tension reduction methods available to you, please consult with your dentist. If your chosen dentist is truly a believer in pain-free dentistry, they will be familiar with these techniques and will steer you to helpful resources.


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Secrets to a Fear-Free, Pain-Free Experience

Once you begin using these techniques to induce a state of relaxation and calm in the dentist chair, you will find it easier with each progressive visit, to slip into this state and believe it or not, soon your visits will be anticipated with a centered feeling of calm.


Unfortunately, some who suffer from dental anxiety have been chastised or humiliated by an insensitive dentist. Perhaps they gave you a difficult time about neglecting your dental care or you simply feel embarrassed by your current dental condition.


Distraction Tools



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In addition to relaxation techniques, your dentist should offer distraction tools that help to transport your mind to another place. Music can often induce a state of relaxation or distract an active mind. Good stereo headphones connected to a radio or an mp3 player filled with your favorite music is a great way to go.

Watching a movie during your dental treatments is a wonderful distraction. Some dentists now offer headsets that combine theater-quality sound with the visual impression of watching a 50” screen.


These dentists usually have a large library of movies to choose from, or you can bring in your own DVD.

Nitrous Oxide Laughing Gas is another option to distract and relax you. It is an inhaled gas that is adjusted to achieve the desired effect. It can be combined with movie glasses to create a pleasant experience during your dental work.

Various Levels of Local Anesthesia

Experiencing pain is one of the most common fears related to the dentist office. However, today, your dentist should be able, through various anesthetic techniques, to provide you with a pain-free experience. These techniques can be tailored to the individual.



Distraction Tools (cont.)

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Let’s face it. No two individuals are alike. Each should have their anesthetics designed to accommodate their physiological differences and their psychological treatment needs. There should be no “one size fits all” approach to pain control by your dentist.


Sedation dentistry has become the foremost solution for dental phobia and anxiety. Sedation dentistry involves administering a tranquilizer intravenously which gives the dentist and the patient complete control over the level of relaxation the patient experiences ranging from mild drowsiness to deep sleep. This gives the patient the option to sleep through the entire dental treatment.


Secrets to a Fear-Free, Pain-Free Experience Sedation Dentistry May Be Your Best Option

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This very popular anesthesia option should be administered by a registered nurse anesthetist. Not only does this ensure that the anesthesia is administered by and monitored by a highly trained specialist, but it frees the dentist to focus on their specialty – the care and treatment of your teeth. This is the safest, and ultimate pain-free solution for the most highly anxious or phobic patient.


Most dentists are in the field of dentistry because they truly want to help people enjoy a healthy life. While there may still be some dentists who will chastise you about the condition of your teeth, most dentists understand that this is not a kind way to approach patients.

Communication should be the centerpiece of your relationship with your dentist. Your dentist should be eager to educate you both in the care of your teeth and gums and also in the various options available to you for treatment and anesthesia.

Remember that your dental care should be a respectful partnership and both sides must communicate and listen.

Choosing the Right Dentist If You Have Dental Anxiety

Choosing the right dentist should not be a casual decision, especially if you suffer from dental phobia. Therefore, please do not wait for a dental emergency when you may be forced to accept a dentist based on expediency.


A Positive Relationship with Your Dentist

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Choosing the Right Dentist If You Have Dental Anxiety

The best way to find the right dentist for you is to ask for a complimentary consultation appointment. A dentist who is interested in a constructive relationship will gladly sit down with you to discuss both your health issues and necessary procedures. The dentist you are looking for will be open to discussion and communication.


A Positive Relationship with Your Dentist

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The dentist will discuss options for treatment if you currently have dental pain. The right dentist will also listen to your concerns and discuss all the options for anesthesia and comfort.

If the dentist is not willing to sit and talk with you or is unwilling to address your dental anxiety, you should

consider another dentist. Open communication is mandatory to establish trust. And a trusting and communicative relationship with your dentist is one of the best solutions for dental phobia.


We’ve now discussed many of the “no fear” options ranging from “distraction” based therapy to the benefits of IV sedation therapy. Now we need to consider how to find your “no fear” dentist. It is often difficult to find a dentist who offers the full range of options discussed in this consumer guide. However, many dentists offer a least a few of them. As with any purchase decision, you can minimize potential time loss an disappointment by working with a dental health professional who can discuss with you, and offer you, the full spectrum of “no fear” options. A dentist who does not offer all the options discussed in this guide may not be aware of some of these options or may simply prefer not to educate themselves about dental fear, anxiety and phobia. Therefore, they may not treat your fears with the respect and consideration they deserve. We highly recommend you find a dentist who can offer you all of these options, preferably a dentist who makes a point of offering “no fear” dentistry and IV sedation with a nurse anesthetist. This is the same model as is used in a hospital operating room

©2011 Shamblott Family Dentistry | 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 Hopkins, MN 55343 | (952) 935-5599 | 952-935-7842 fax www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com

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How to Find Your “No Fear” Dentist


Please consider contacting Dr. Shamblott of Shamblott Family Dentistry in Minneapolis, Minnesota for a free consultation, free X-rays and free nitrous oxide.

Dr. Shamblott has patients who travel to his office from many locations across the United States, Middle East and even Europe to receive his “no fear” dental care.

©2011 Shamblott Family Dentistry | 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 Hopkins, MN 55343 | (952) 935-5599 | 952-935-7842 fax www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com

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If You Cannot Find A “No Fear” Dentist In Your Area…

Shamblott Family Dentistry 33 10th Avenue South, Suite 250 Hopkins, MN 55343 (952) 935-5599 952-935-7842 fax www.ShamblottFamilyDentistry.com



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