Wet hands, dry mouth, a sinking feeling in the stomach area – most people know these symptoms before a visit to the dentist. But while most can live well with a little tingling in the stomach, real fear patients suffer from sweating as soon as they enter the dentist’s office. In Germany, there are an estimated 10% of so-called dental phobics. They postpone appointment after appointment and even avoid going to the dentist when they have a severe toothache, which can have dire consequences.
Gain confidence from time to time
“Often, patients have had bad experiences at the dentist: in that the doctor treated them roughly, did not take them seriously or did not sufficiently ensure pain-free treatment,” knows proDente expert and head of the Dental Anxiety Outpatient Clinic in Hamburg Dr. Mats Mehrstedt. For example, a tooth may not be treated if it is inflamed and therefore cannot be anesthetized. Then one must first ensure that the inflammation subsides. The subsequent treatment takes place under anesthesia. “If this is used correctly and optimally adapted to the patient, the pain no longer stands a chance,” says Dr. Mehrstedt.
Talking about fear helps
Fear of going to the dentist can be overcome. Once the patient has taken the first step and shown up for the scheduled appointment, the success of subsequent visits depends on the dentist’s empathy and knowledge of how to deal with anxiety patients. “I first have a conversation in which I talk to the patient about his or her anxiety,” Dr. Mehrstedt reports from his daily experience. For many people, it is important to realize that their fear is nothing unusual and that others are also affected. In a second session, the dentist can then examine only the dentition, for example. At the third time, an X-ray examination may take place or the removal of tartar. Only then does the first real treatment occur at another appointment. “The important thing is that the patient gains more confidence each time and collects small feelings of success in the dentist’s chair,” explains Dr. Mehrstedt.
Hypnosis or general anesthesia after all?
In severe cases, treatment can take place under hypnosis or a few hours can be completed during behavioral therapy. The use of general anesthesia is appropriate for patients who have such a severe disability that they cannot control the mouth muscles themselves. In such cases, however, the dentist works with an anesthesiologist (specialist in anesthesiology) who supervises the anesthesia.
