A sympathetic approach essential for patients with dental phobia

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Dentists who are trained in dealing with patients with dental phobia have insisted that a sensitive and sympathetic approach is required and urged fellow dentists to treat the issue of dental phobia in an understanding and compassionate manner.

Dental phobia is a common condition; the British Dental Association estimates that 25 percent of people suffer from a degree of anxiety prior to going to the dentist, while 12 percent of people have serious anxiety, which can be classed as a phobia.

Many people are so worried and scared about going to the dentist that they put off seeing a dentist for months, even years and only visit a dentist when they are already suffering from severe dental problems, which often cause excruciating pain.

Dentist Dr Jennifer Pinder has been treating patients with dental phobia for more than 30 years; she says that it is essential that dentists understand that a phobia is very severe and does not just involve feelings of slight anxiety and nervousness. Dr Pinder said that it is important for dentists to understand the nature of a phobia and treat each case with sensitivity and compassion. Dr Pinder takes time to talk to her patients about their fear and tries to get to the bottom of why they feel so nervous about going to the dentist; she also uses a device known as ‘The Wand’, which helps patients get over their fear by covering the needle and controlling the administration of anaesthetic. The Wand helps to control the speed at which the anaesthetic is given.

Dr Pinder, along with many dentists and thousands of patients, has also welcomed the development of a new device which filters out the noise of the dental drill, which is a source of fear for many patients.

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