Anxious Patients

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Anxious Patients

Anxious Patients

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Anxious Patients

Many people suffer from anxiety related issues when it comes to going to the dentist. For some the fear is relatively mild, while for others it can be debilitating. At Sure Dental, we recognise our anxious patients need some extra support around their visit, and we do our best to ensure their comfort and ease throughout their visit. Making regular appointments to stay on top of your dental health can be daunting if you’ve had a bad experience in the past, but the importance of your oral health is something you should take seriously; so, no matter where you are with it, it’s never too late to improve.

There are several things you can do to help with your anxiety before you attend an appointment. You can discuss your options with our caring team of experienced staff, who have treated many patients with anxiety before and will be able to reduce your stress and ensure your visit is as calm and comfortable as possible. You will be able to ask any questions to put your mind at ease and practice ways to overcome your fear before you even step foot inside the dentist’s office.

Many people suffer from anxiety related issues when it comes to going to the dentist. For some the fear is relatively mild, while for others it can be debilitating. At Sure Dental, we recognise our anxious patients need some extra support around their visit, and we do our best to ensure their comfort and ease throughout their visit. Making regular appointments to stay on top of your dental health can be daunting if you’ve had a bad experience in the past, but the importance of your oral health is something you should take seriously; so, no matter where you are with it, it’s never too late to improve.

There are several things you can do to help with your anxiety before you attend an appointment. You can discuss your options with our caring team of experienced staff, who have treated many patients with anxiety before and will be able to reduce your stress and ensure your visit is as calm and comfortable as possible. You will be able to ask any questions to put your mind at ease and practice ways to overcome your fear before you even step foot inside the dentist’s office.

At Sure Dental we work with you to give you control of your appointment. We work to empower you to get through your appointment and build confidence as you have great experiences. Some of the things we find helpful for our patients is:

Taking a tour of the dental practice before your consultation, which can help put you at ease and introduce you to the team for familiarisation

Injections that numb your gums and mouth

Relaxation techniques such a deep breathing and mindfulness

Ensuring all your teeth are numb before any treatment commences

Distraction techniques such as listening to your own music or an audiobook, or watching your favourite show on Netflix during the procedure

Comfort blankets

Being extremely gentle

Giving you time if you would like regular breaks

Some patients prefer sedation and the common forms of sedation are:

Intravenous (IV)

We will inject a sedative into your vein to help relax you.

Oral sedation

We will give you a sedative gas that you can breathe in through a mask placed over your nose and mouth.

Lovely staff, highly professional and proactive in both communication and service. Always on time! I actually don’t think I have had such a comprehensively outstanding service at any other office in the health domain.

Jessica H.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is dental anxiety an additional symptom of general anxiety within a person? If so, would you also recommend a patient seek ways of coping using methods such as yoga, meditation, or via natural/herbal medicines in the weeks and months before they have invasive dental procedures?

Anxiety is a complex issue, and for most people we see at Sure Dental Brisbane who suffer with dental anxiety, the way they choose to manage their symptoms is an entirely personal decision. We will do our utmost to put our anxious patients at ease and would recommend they pursue any technique that helps them, including the aforementioned methods of yoga and meditation.

Typically, what percentage of the dental patient population suffers from anxiety, causing them to avert oncoming dental treatments?

The Australian Government Department of Health estimates that 3 in 10 people delay or avoid seeing the dentist because of cost; however, the statistics around those who avoid the dentist due to anxiety remains unclear. What we do know is that fear of the dentist shouldn’t be the reason someone avoids seeking treatment, as maintaining good oral health is an important aspect of a person’s overall health.

Should a patient flag early on in their relationship with you that they suffer from dental fear, so that you can handle their experience with this in mind from the earliest interactions?

Absolutely. At Sure Dental Brisbane, the more we know in advance, the better we can help you. We are here to make your experience as stress-free and comfortable as possible. By helping us help you, we can work together to improve your outlook on the dentist and turn your visits into a more positive experience.

Is there a recognisable difference that defines dental anxiety differently to dental fear and also to dental phobia? Are there degrees of this state which dentists are trained in to be able to manage everything from the milder aspects of it to the extremes?

The prevalence of dental fear is estimated at around 10% of the population; however, like all anxiety and fear, the degree varies depending on the patient and their history with the dentist. At Sure Dental, we’re equipped for every type of dental anxiety and will be able to advise you on the best technique to manage your nervousness or phobia.

Is there a particular anaesthetic which you use which is specifically designed for ‘sleep dentistry?’ If so, what attributes make it a preferred choice for dentists?

Sleep dentistry is a misleading term as patients are generally awake during the whole procedure. Sedation dentistry is more accurate, and it’s usually performed with gas through a nosepiece, tablets taken orally – or in more extreme cases of anxiety – intravenously through your hand or arm.

How is dealing with dental fear in children different from dealing with it in adults?

When dealing with a child’s fear of the dentist opposed to an adult’s fear, most of the techniques are the same, albeit milder versions. Positive reinforcement through compliments and praise has good outcomes, and so does kind and gentle encouragement. For more extreme cases, therapy, a mild sedative gas or general anaesthetics are options.

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WOW!! They deserve much more than 5 stars. Talk about making a girl feel comfortable from start to finish. I look forward to coming back to get my work done. THANK YOU

Laura D.

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Our team of gentle and caring dentists are here to help restore and realign your smile, bring back your confidence, and put you at ease throughout the entire process.

Call us today and schedule an appointment. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we pride ourselves on our customer support when it comes to giving you and your family the best possible service.

Simply call us on 07 3256 9111 or complete the form below if you’d like one of our friendly team members to get in touch and help organise your consultation.

Book An Appointment

Schedule a Visit Today

Our team of gentle and caring dentists are here to help restore and realign your smile, bring back your confidence, and put you at ease throughout the entire process.

Call us today and schedule an appointment. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we pride ourselves on our customer support when it comes to giving you and your family the best possible service.

Simply call us on 07 3256 9111 or complete the form below if you’d like one of our friendly team members to get in touch and help organise your consultation.

Book An Appointment