Over forty percent of the population has some level of dental phobia, fear, and anxiety. For about 9-15% that fear is strong enough to prevent them from seeking care!
Bad childhood (or adult!) experiences, insensitive comments by dental professionals and staff, and even anxiety disorders can result in debilitating fear of the dentist.
Over years of being told to “suck it up”, “be an adult” and “just get over it” people with dental fear and phobias often feel an intense (and truly undeserved) embarrassment and shame. Those who do not have these fears often don’t understand, and mean well but make insensitive comments. People with fears and phobias mistakenly feel that others might be right.
In cases where the front teeth have gotten involved, there is the additional embarrassment of a poor-looking smile. Years of fear, embarrassment and shame take a serious toll on people’s self-esteem and self-confidence. This ‘cycle of fear’ makes it even harder to take the step of seeing the dentist.
At Dr. Barnett’s Dental office, we understand your fears and concerns. We know the realities of how you feel, we take them seriously and we are never judgmental or demeaning. We’ve been there… and we don’t like it either!
Mild Anxiety
Mild anxiety is very common. Nobody really likes having dental work done. Even small bad experiences can leave people nervous and anxious. In most cases of mild anxiety, the person is fairly clear about what they don’t like and how they wish to be treated. A calm and soothing environment, a caring staff, an attentive and patient dentist – as well as good local anesthesia (“Novocaine”) and sometimes a little bit of Nitrous Oxide Gas – are often sufficient to treat these people in the office.
Moderate Anxiety
As anxiety and fear become stronger they cross into the area of “Moderate Anxiety”. Typically the person with moderate anxiety needs more than just “T.L.C.” and a mild anti-anxiety agent to have dental work. These people really cannot sit in the dentist’s chair and the stress on their system can actually be dangerous!
Reduction of moderate anxiety to a point where the person can withstand dental care safely and easily often requires the stronger anti-anxiety agents used in Oral Sedation. With these procedures and good monitoring, a person with Moderate Anxiety can be treated in the dental office.
Severe Anxiety / Dental Phobia
The powerful and debilitating fear of dentists and dental work is often called Severe Anxiety or Dental Phobia. Dental Phobias do not respond to conservative techniques and these unfortunate people cannot be treated while conscious. Most often, general anesthesia in the safety of a hospital operating room is their best and only option for the care they want and need.
Contact Dr. Barnett Today
Contact Dr. Barnett today if you have severe anxiety about going to the dentist. Call or contact our Marietta Dentist office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you.