9 December 2014

There is no need for people afraid of the dentist to give their appointments the brush-off, according to a leading oral health charity.

The British Dental Health Foundation believes while many people will make a dental appointment heading into 2015, the small percentage of the population who are afraid of the dentist remain unaware of significant advances to the practice environment.

The Adult Dental Health Survey identified one in three patients suffer from moderate dental anxiety and roughly one in eight suffer from extreme dental anxiety. The British Dental Health Foundation asked more than 2,000 people about their first childhood memories of the dentist, with the most reoccurring answers including ‘pain', ‘the smell of the gas and the mask over your face' and that is was ‘sore, uncomfortable and scary'. In fact, more than eight out of ten answers focussed on pain, fear, injections, gas and drilling.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter OBE offers five reasons as to why those childhood memories are a thing of the past.

1. TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED
"Treatment can now be almost completely painless. The Wand is a great example of a new piece of technology for anyone with a needle phobia. It doesn't look or feel like a needle, which from experience can really help a nervous patient. A numbing gel can be used to numb your gums before an injection if you would like that extra layer of comfort."

2. DENTISTS ARE READY FOR NERVOUS PATIENTS
"Many dentists offer techniques such as sedation and relaxation to help their nervous patients. They can offer appointments at a time of day that suits you best. Remember to communicate with your dentist - tell them you are nervous. Agree a sign that means ‘stop' beforehand. You can even take music or a friend along."

3. PRACTICES ARE VERY WELCOMING
"Modern dental surgeries are much friendlier environments with flowers in the waiting room, art on the walls, a pleasant reception area and polite staff. Of course, you'll still have the smells and sounds of the dental surgery but these are less noticeable than they used to be."

4. GAS IS GONE
"The use of gas has reduced to coincide with improvements in dental health. Dental practices no longer carry out general anaesethics. Getting a first appointment in is a huge step to reducing the need for major dental treatment Regular appointments will help to identify and treat problems at an early stage."

5. THERE'S MORE THAN THE DENTIST
"If you feel uncomfortable with the dentist, you can now book an appointment with the dental hygiene or dental therapist. Talk to them about where your problem lies and about your lifestyle habits. Even before they have had the chance to look in your mouth, they will be in a position to judge your risk of poor oral health."

If you would like to discover where you can get pain-free treatment, please visit www.painfreedentistry.uk.com.