As a kid, I didn’t love visiting the dentist, but I was never afraid to go. Sure, I had cavities, was occasionally remiss in my oral hygiene and wore braces, but an upcoming appointment with my dentist, perhaps because he was a kind man, didn’t cause anxiety. And, even today, I have no fear about visiting my dentist. In fact, he’s fantastic and I wish that everyone had a dentist like mine. (Shout out to Dr. Robert Sattler and his staff! I’ll see you soon.) But, I may be in the minority when it comes to my complete lack of fear of the dentist. I’m well aware that there are many people who have such a powerful fear of the dentist that they forego going for years despite the potentially serious consequences that can have to their oral health or even to their physical well-being
According to WebMD, between 9 and 20 percent of Americans steer clear of the dentist because of fear and anxiety. The Journal of the American Dental Association estimates that 92 million Americans actually are afraid to get the dental work they need.
Dentists say those numbers and common concerns of patients have spurred the industry to find new ways to reduce pain and allay fear and anxiety.
“Many people would rather do just about anything than walk into a dentist’s office,” says Dr. Scott Shamblott, author of Fear-Free Dental Care: Finding a Dentist You Can Love and founder of Shamblott Family Dentistry. “I’ve even heard people say they would rather lose an arm or leg than have a root canal or cavity filled.”
“But what people need to know is that dentists today are especially sensitive to their fears, and many advancements have been made to help them be pain-free and worry-free. What they need to do is find the right dentist who puts them at ease. Otherwise, their avoidance can lead to all kinds of issues with their teeth, gums, and perhaps health.”
Dr. Shamblott lists four reasons people fear the dentist, and how each of those fears can be lessened:
- Fear of pain. This is tops on everybody’s list. “No one wants to feel even minor discomfort, let alone major pain. But given today’s technology, even serious dental issues can be addressed painlessly when handled the correct way,” Dr. Shamblott says.
- Fear of needles. Healthline estimates 20 percent of people have a fear of needles. Ways around it include sedation dentistry, a support person to be next to the patient, or a helpful distraction such as music in headphones, a squeeze ball, or DVD glasses so you can watch your favorite movie during treatment. Shamblott says a dentist should also offer a topical numbing anesthetic prior to your injection, so you might not feel the injection because the top tissues are already numb.
- Fear of drills. “Today’s drills are much quieter,” Dr. Shamblott says. “Some patients even report being able to block the sound of a drill entirely and relax completely when listening to music while wearing headphones.”
- Fear of the unknown. Dr. Shamblott says fear is best fought with knowledge. The more a patient knows about the treatment and process involved, the better chance they will relax and trust the dentist. “Many people are made fearful of the dentist by a lack of knowledge of the procedure,” Dr. Shamblott says. “A caring, patient dentist willing to invest time talking at length with the patient will put them at ease.”
“Sometimes people need help to get past their fears. This has become a primary part of my mission,” Dr. Shamblott says. “All a patient needs is a willingness to say ‘enough is enough’ and to find a caring, empathetic dentist who practices fear-free dental care.”
About Dr. Scott Shamblott
Dr. Scott Shamblott is a general dentist and the founder of Shamblott Family Dentistry in Hopkins, Minn. He is the author of two books, Help! My Tooth Hurts: Your Guide to Feeling Better Fast, and Fear-Free Dental Care: Finding a Dentist You Can Love. Dr. Shamblott earned a B.S. in Finance at the University of Arizona Cum Laude and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with High Distinction at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He completed a general practice residency at the University of Tennessee Hospital. Dr. Shamblott earned a fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry and from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. Also a new product evaluator, he is one of 450 dentists worldwide selected to test dental products and techniques for Clinicians Report.
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I really liked the idea of bringing a stress ball to the dentist if you are afraid of the needles. I also loved that you mentioned to bring music on headphones to help you relax. My brother needs some dental work done, but he get really nervous with the numbing shots. One tip I heard from my dentist is to wiggle your toes, as doing so helps distract you from any shots in your mouth.