Anxiety

At Granta Dental we work hard to ensure that undergoing treatment is a positive and worry-free experience.  But we also understand that, for some patients, even entering the dental surgery is a traumatic affair. 

Lesley Ruffle, our Dental Therapist, has considerable familiarity with working with patients to help them manage their anxiety.  We employ a range of techniques to make treatment more relaxing:

• Understanding the issues. Being anxious about going to the dentist can stem from a variety of causes.  Perhaps the sounds and smells trigger memories of unpleasant childhood experiences, or maybe it’s a straightforward worry that treatment will hurt! Once we can identify your specific concern, we can work with you to find the most appropriate way of addressing it.
• Pacing your treatment.  We are very happy to be flexible in how we schedule your treatment so that you can take one step at a time.  For example, you may wish to progress through a series of appointments: first just chatting to your dentist and having an examination with a mirror; then perhaps a session with the hygienist; and then moving on to any further treatment when you feel comfortable.  When in the chair, you can agree a sign which means ‘Stop now – I need a break’ and treatment can be stopped until you are ready to start again.  Don’t be afraid to say when you have had enough – there is usually no reason to hurry through treatment. 
• Using distraction techniques. Some patients like to distance themselves from what’s going on by listening to music – we won’t be offended if you arrive in the surgery with your MP3 player!  Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable if your practitioner describes to you exactly what they are doing while they are working. Let us know which approach will be most helpful for you. 
• Other approaches. We have a good understanding of how homeopathy can be used to overcome patients’ fears, reduce the unwanted side-effects of treatment and promote healing.  Depending on individual circumstances, we may also use a variety of approaches to sedation (intravenous, gas and air), or recommend a course of hypnotherapy or counselling to alleviate your concerns.

Finally, it is critical to keep up your regular visits to the dentist and hygienist.  By establishing a regime which ensures good preventative care, we can reduce the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease occurring, minimising the need for more intensive intervention – and protecting your smile!