Worried about a check-up? How our team at Forest Dental can help
Not surprisingly, it is commonplace for many people to feel nervous when it comes to seeing the dentist.
Even with the advancements in technology, better chairside manners and pain-free options, dental care remains one of the least attended types of healthcare in the UK and beyond!
Luckily, dentists have caught on to this and are now making active efforts to make their dental surgeries more inviting, as well as able to offer nervous patients an array of options to help them manage their concerns while in the dental chair.
When you come to see our team at Forest Dental Loughton, we will work with you to help you overcome your dental anxiety while also providing top-notch dental care.
So, what are some of the techniques that we use to help nervous patients to relax at Forest Dental Loughton?
Communication
If you are nervous or have had bad experiences with dentists in the past, tell us! Our team at Forest Dental Loughton will not judge you! Dental concerns, anxieties and even phobias are more common than most people think.
But, as a starting point, our team will begin by talking you through it. Talking to our patients and explaining the procedure step-by-step can help reduce anxiety. We are also big on reassuring our patients and praising their efforts, as this can help them feel more confident and relaxed in the dental chair.
If you would prefer silence while we work, we can offer that too. Or we can do the real British thing and talk about the weather!
Distraction
Next on the list is a distraction. Remember when you would go into dental surgeries years ago, and on the ceiling, there would be a huge poster of ‘Where’s Wally?’ This has been upgraded a bit, and now, providing our patients with something to focus on, such as music or a movie, can help distract them from the procedure.
If you want to, you are more than free to bring in your own headset or phone to listen to music while we work on your teeth.
Nitrous oxide
Also known as laughing gas, it is reserved for patients who want to feel a bit more removed from the process and may have more of a phobia. It is inhaled via a mask and is a mild sedative that can help the patient relax.
Once the mask is off, you can go about your day as normal and should not feel any ill effects. If you do feel unwell after having nitrous oxide, please seek medical attention.
IV sedation
This is a form of sedation that is administered via a needle and helps the patient to relax. It will put you into twilight sedation, which means that when the needle is removed, you will have no memory of the procedure. But, for your own safety, you will need to have an age-appropriate friend or family member with you to escort you home. And we must insist that you do not operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours post IV sedation.