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How to Help Your Patients Relieve Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety can negatively affect not only the patient but also put you on edge or make it hard to work effectively.
How to Help Your
Patients Relieve Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is fear or stress associated with a dental setting. It can be so
overwhelming that patients delay or avoid dental treatment. According to the Journal of Dental Hygiene,
between 50 and 80% of adults in the United States have some degree of dental
anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. You likely have several patients in your
practice who
struggle with this.
Dental anxiety can negatively affect
not only the patient but also put you on edge or make it hard for you to work
effectively. It’s important to maintain composure and set the tone not just at
the beginning of the appointment but also before patients even arrive. After a review of several sources
(listed at the end of this article), we’ve compiled five suggestions to help you
put patients at ease.
Build Trust and a Connection
Strike
up a conversation with patients by asking them about their day or their family.
We covered ways to build trust in our last newsletter, so be sure to check that
edition for more information about this important step in getting patients to
think more positively about the dental experience. Another great tip is to
practice breathing exercises with your patient before they begin their
appointment. Breathing is the number one and most effective technique for
reducing anxiety quickly.
Create Distraction
In the
exam room, play a lighthearted movie or TV show at low volume, keep a fish
tank, or give them a stress ball or fidget item to use while they are in your
chair.
Invest in a Calming Environment
Set up an
aromatherapy mister, play soft classical music, and outfit your practice with
comfortable, thoughtful furnishings. Instruct your office staff to maintain good
customer service and to keep them motivated in their role to provide not just
quality care but also a quality experience.
Watch the Wait
Time
If you know you’ve got a particularly
anxious patient on the schedule for the day, take extra care that they are seen
on time. Notify your office staff. Anxious patients should not be made to wait
too long, as this can build tension and give them time to recall the
threatening stimuli.
Put the Control
in the Hands of the Patient
Loss of
control over the treatment procedure is a major cause for anxiety. Telling the
patient what to expect and what measures are taken to ensure their safety will
help make the treatment as comfortable as possible. Explain every step of the appointment with the
patient using the tell-show-do method.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4790493/
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-calm-down#1.-Breathe
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dental-anxiety-and-phobia
