Blog

People with dental phobia tend to avoid visiting the dentist. They are therefore at risk of suffering more dental pain, poor oral health and a detrimental effect to their quality of life.Estimates from a recent Adult Dental Health Survey suggest that around one in 10 people experience extreme anxiety about seeing their dentist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term therapy that typically lasts 5— 10 sessions. The therapy has been shown to help with a range of psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety disorders and seems to be especially effective within dentistry. CBT interventions have been shown to be successful in reducing dental anxiety and increasing regular dental attendance.

People suffering with dental phobia are most commonly given sedation to allow them to become relaxed enough for a short period of time to have their dental treatment performed. CBT aims to make patients overcome their fears in the long term, rather than just as a temporary measure.

The primary aim of CBT at Crofts Dental Practice is to enable patients to receive dental treatment without the need for sedation, by working with each individual patient to set goals according to their priorities.

How does it work?

CBT is a form of talking therapy that directs patients to identify and evaluate thoughts and feelings. This approach is based on the underlying idea that dysfunctional thoughts, emotions and behaviors are the foundation of many psychiatric issues.

Treatment tends to be short-term, with the therapist training and instructing the patient on how to identify patterns of ‘automatic’ thoughts that cause distressing or unhelpful emotions like dental anxiety.

King’s College London Dental Institute did a survey about the success of dental CBT with99 women and 31 men.The researchers said that of all patients referred for a course of CBT, 79% went on to have dental treatment without the need for sedation and 6% had their dental treatment under sedation.

The survey found that the average number of CBT appointments required before a patient received dental treatment without sedation was just five.

Crofts Dental Practice in Essex could help you conquer your dental fear, so, why not give us a go?

There are options available to help nervous patients. According to NHS Choices, 25% of us are anxious about visiting the dentist, luckily more dentists than ever before understand the fears some people may have, and there is a lot that can be done to relieve these fears. The Dental Health Foundation has a helpline that people can call to discuss a whole range of topics relating to oral health, they have been running for 15 years and have received over 350,000 enquires. Anxious patients are welcome to call the helpline to discuss any fears they may have, the foundation promises to give free and impartial advice.

What can be done to de-stress you

Many dental clinics, like Crofts Dental Practice, have options for nervous patients in Essex. Services we offer to relax patients include: a free consultation with a dentist to discuss any concerns you may have, reduced waiting times – as all of their appointment run on time – a friend or family member can assist you during any treatments, and you can watch TV or listen to music during treatments to help nervous patients in Essex feel more at ease. In addition, cognitive behavioural therapy offered by the practice has helped many people overcome their anxiety and fears, however, sedation is also an option at the clinic and there are two types of sedation offered to nervous patients in Essex: RA sedation is the use of gas and air to help patients relax, they will be awake and know what’s happening during the treatment,however it won’t concern them. The second type of sedation offered is IV sedation; patients will probably be unaware of what’s happening under this form of sedation but they will understand the dentist, and will be able to comply.

Crofts Dental Practice has a great amount of experience in working with nervous patients in Essex. If you’re afraid to go to the dentist and need some oral care, or if you want to finally overcome your fears, please don’t hesitate to call and speak to one of their members of staff who are all trained in dealing with nervous patients.

Well you’re not alone; many people suffer dental anxiety or dental phobia, according to Colgate Oral Care Centre. research has been done to determined why people feel this way concerning dentist, the most common answers include: the fear of being in pain (some people may have experienced this in earlier dental treatment), feeling like they are not in control, embarrassment of someone looking in their mouth (especially if they have concerns about the aesthetics of their teeth), and bad experiences they have had in the past. If any of this seems familiar to you, please know that you’re not alone; there are things that can be done to help you through this and make you feel more at ease.

Helping nervous patients in Essex

At Crofts Dental practice, weunderstand that many people have dental anxiety and dental phobia, and our staff are all trained and have experience in working with nervous patients and they offer options to help relaxation and de-stress when oral care is needed,for their nervous patients in Essex.Crofts Dental Practice offer a free consultation to anyone who is feeling anxious or scared, patients can speak to a dentist, and discuss their concerns without any judgements, they don’t even have to sit in a dental chair! If treatment is needed at the practice in Essex, nervous patients are more than welcome to have a family member or friend present during any treatments to help ease their anxiety. In addition to this, patients are able to watch TV, or listen to music during treatments, as the practice understands that familiarity can often help ease anxiety. Sometimes waiting for an event to take place is often what causes stress to many people, the clinic understands this, and ensures that all of its appointments are running according to schedule, this means nervous patients in Essex can avoid that anxious stage. Patients are even welcome to refreshments during any small waiting periods.

In addition to the ways previously mentioned in which Crofts Dental Practice can help relax its nervous patients in Essex, they also offer other options to help, such as: sedation and cognitive behavioural therapy. To find out more, don’t hesitate to contact the practice and discuss your concerns.