Top Tips for Dealing with Dental Anxiety
Up to 20% of people in the U.K avoid going to the dentist due to suffering from dental anxiety. Below are our tips to help put you at ease with your trip to the dentist!
Firstly, don’t be embarrassed – you are not alone. A large proportion of the U.K do not visit their dentist regularly, it is nothing to be ashamed of and you will not be met with disapproval. In fact, it is the opposite! We understand that a trip to the dentists can be nerve wracking, and we want to make that experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible!
Secondly, make the practice aware of how you are feeling. The fact you have booked the appointment alone is a huge achievement, so well done for making that step! Your dentist and their team want to help you, so allow them to put you at ease by discussing what exactly it is about the appointment that is causing your anxiety. Is it pain based, or a past bad experience? The more the team knows, the more effective they can be at making your next trip to the dentists a positive one.
Treat your first trip to a dentist the same way you would a house viewing – dentistry is a long term investment, so you want the practice to be somewhere you feel comfortable, welcomed, and somewhere you are getting what you paid for. You don’t want to spend your money somewhere you feel anxious, so look for a practice that takes the time to put you at ease. Dentistry should not be an uncomfortable experience, your dentist and hygienist should be people you trust and feel safe with. Importantly, you do not have to stick with the first dentist you meet, ask your friends and read reviews of a surgery before making any commitments to a practice.
Lastly, choose a time of day that reduces dental anxiety for you. If you know an appointment at the end of the day will leave 8 hours of pent up anxiety, then it’s best to book an early morning appointment. Speak with the receptionist at the practice and see what they can do for you – they will be understanding of your situation and do their utmost to accommodate a suitable time for you.
