Dental Health

Nervous about the Dentist?

There's no need to be... Dentistry is far more advanced than the traumatic memories some of us carry from our childhood. These days most people require only a brief visit every year to have their teeth checked and cleaned. Even when a filling or other treatment is needed this is usually painless, rather than being a traumatic experience.

Some people, for various reasons, find visiting the dentist a very stressful experience - so much so that they may avoid the visit for many years due to their fear of treatment. For these people, a true phobia exists, with a dental visit being just about the worst thing that can happen to them.

So what are the options available for people who genuinely fear dental treatment? Thankfully there are many options to choose from, as outlined below.

1. Minimise your stress by trying to keep things as simple as possible. Try not to 'work yourself up' before the visit, and don't put it off as your anxiety levels will only increase. An alternative can be to seek natural relaxation methods or even consider hypnotherapy to help you overcome your anxiety or phobia.

2. Find a caring and compassionate dentist. This is a really important step - finding someone who understands that you are anxious and is willing to help you. Even if this dentist cannot provide you with the treatment you need directly, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.

3. Bring a friend! You're more likely to keep your appointment and remain relaxed if a friend or relative can come with you for support and encouragement.

4. Nitrous Oxide sedation can help you relax if you feel you need it. In the right hands, such as the professional staff at our practices, a normal local anaesthetic is all you're likely to need for a filling or similar treatment. However, some people find that nitrous oxide ('happy gas') helps them to relax and stop worrying about what's happening. With this gas you remain awake and responsive, and the effects of the gas normally wear off within a few minutes.

5. Talk to us about how to care properly for your teeth and gums. This could prevent the need for major treatment in the future.

6. Consider conscious sedation. This involves you coming for treatment at a special surgery, such as the one at the Fund's Parramatta Dental Practice, where qualified personnel administer a combination of drugs intravenously. You remain awake but are unaware of what is happening, and you have little memory of the procedure afterwards. Sometimes 'happy gas' is also used to help relax you. Because the effects of sedation leave you groggy for several hours, patients need to be driven home by a family member or friend. A small fee is charged for this service. One of the main advantages of sedation is that, in many cases, all necessary treatment can be completed during the one visit.

7. General anaesthesia is the remaining option if the above suggestions have not helped. This would involve a day stay visit at a private hospital, during which all necessary treatment would be performed. Usually this is considered a last resort for people who cannot undergo treatment by simpler means.

This information should be considered as a general guide only. Please consult our Dental Practices or your own dentist before proceeding with any dental treatment.