Molly The Therapy Dog Helps Anxious Dental Patients In Minnesota
Dental anxiety is a very common problem, but one dental office in Woodbury, Minnesota, has found a very effective solution: Molly the dog.
Molly, a four year old cocker spaniel, has helped to bring calm to Applewood Family Dental in Woodbury; she helps to comfort nervous patients and distract patients to stop them from feeling anxious and worried.
Dr Brian Kraby said that dental anxiety is a common issue and some people are so worried about going to the dentist that they regularly cancel or postpone routine appointments. Molly helps patients to relax and she has a very soothing and calming effect; she is often called upon to help children and nervous patients to feel more relaxed when they are in the dental chair.
Dr Kraby admits that he was skeptical when his assistant, who is also Molly’s trainer, came to him with the idea of using a therapy dog at the practice, but he agreed to give the project a go and he was convinced of its worth after just a few appointments.
Therapy dogs have been used in many different areas, including helping to tackle anxiety and depression in schools, care homes and hospitals but Dr Kraby believes that Applewood Family Dental is the only practice in the state to offer the services of a therapy dog.
Ten year old Hugh Witzman is one of the patients who has benefited from Molly’s presence; on his last visit he said that Molly was a great comfort and made the whole experience of going to the dentist less scary.
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I am quite happy the Star Tribune did this piece. I hope that it will help the next generation of kids to grow up and not be fearful of the dentist. These dogs will also help adults. When you question these dental phobic adults the common denominator is a bad childhood experience with the dentist. Check out more of Molly the dental therapy dog at http://www.applewoodfamilydental.com