Dental anxiety is a common fear that affects patients with different levels of severity. This can range from a mild fear through to full dental phobia. This anxiety and fear can cause patients to avoid regular dental treatment, to the detriment of their oral health or smile goals.
Dental anxiety is driven most logically from pain. Whether this was pain was from a recent dental appointment or a distant dental experience way back in their childhood. The fear of experiencing pain again is natural yet it can take many positive experiences to reverse or remove this fear altogether.
At Dr Finkelstein Dentist in Sydney, we go out of our way to address our patients fears and anxiety. This ranges from considering any psychological aspects from past experiences along with ensuring any pain experienced in upcoming dental treatments is well managed. The following are some of the medical and non-medical ways we manage our patient’s dental anxiety.
First and foremost, establishing a trusting environment with an experienced dentist
A key factor in reducing dental anxiety is building a trusting relationship between the dentist and the patient. Dr Finkelstein is widely known for his ability to make patients feel calm and comfortable in our dental clinic in Sydney. Not only is he warm, gentle, and approachable; he uses his great sense of humour to create a very relaxing, anxiety-free atmosphere. Our patients often comment on how they actually look forward to their dental appointments.
It’s also very important for Dr Finkelstein to communicate openly, to properly listen to his patients concerns, and explain procedures in a clear and empathetic manner. We find this open dialogue allows our patients to feel in control and to better understand the steps involved in their treatment, reducing the element of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown.
Ensuring access to “pain-free” solutions during your dentist visit
Topical Anaesthetic
Local Anaesthetic
Nitrous Oxide (also known as Laughing Gas or Happy Gas)
Penthrox (Methoxyflurane)
Oral Sedation
Sit back and relax with audio-visual distractions
At our dental clinic in Sydney, we also incorporate audio-visual distractions, including Netflix, to help patients relax during their visit. If necessary, patients can wear headphones and watch a movie or listen to their own calming music, diverting their attention away from the dental procedure. This simple technique helps reduce anxiety and makes the dental experience more enjoyable.
Dental anxiety should never prevent anyone from seeking essential oral care or achieving their smile goals. While we understand that we may not fix your anxiety overnight, by creating more positive experiences for our patients through both medical and non-medical means, we at Dr Finkelstein Dentist in Sydney strive to help patients overcome their fear of receiving regular oral care. Just check out Dr Finkelstein’s reviews in Google. You’ll see the difference he has made to other patient’s dental experiences.
If you have any questions about the pain-free dental techniques we use, please feel free to call our friendly team on 02 9262 7778. If you’ve had a bad experience with a dentist in the past, we encourage you to book an appointment with Dr Finkelstein. We’re confident he is the best dentist in Sydney to help you get your smile back in the chair.
