We’ve all been there (or if you haven’t, you most likely will at some point in your career): a patient sits in your chair and one of the first things out of their mouth is “I hate coming to the dentist.” Dental anxiety is very common. A high percentage of the population experiences some level of fear, phobia, or anxiety around dental visits. Being a patient in a dental chair can be a vulnerable experience. As dental professionals, we are called to provide the best care possible for our patients, and that sometimes includes trying to identify patients with dental anxiety and helping them ease those feelings during appointments. Let’s discuss a few ways in which we can bring our patients from dental anxiety to not dreading dental visits.
First, we need to identify anxious patients. Some will be like the scenario I described previously and first thing out of their mouth will be, “I hate coming to the dentist,” while others might show physical signs. So what should we look for? The way a patient’s hands are placed might give you some indication of how they are feeling. When someone is anxious or scared they may be clenching the chair or have their hands clenched together. Another possible sign to look out for is to check the patient’s eyes or forehead. Widened eyes or furrowed brows can be their way of showing fear or pain without verbalizing. If you see any of these signs, take the opportunity to check in with your patient.
Dental offices are not always known to be a relaxing environment. There may be bright lights; loud, high-pitched sounds; and people hustling about. Providing tools to create a more relaxing environment for patients can make a big difference. Eye safety and protection is widely used and recommended. A further step you can take is to offer darkened glasses to block out some of the bright office and overhead lights. If anxiety is coming from a patient’s physical pain or sensitivity, you can offer nitrous oxide, topical or local anesthetic to help desensitize. Using warm water in ultrasonic scalers also can help reduce sensitivity. To help distract from potential anxiety producing triggers, patients can bring their own head phones to listen to music or audiobooks, or you can provide something for them to watch if it is available in the operatory.
Above all, communicate thoroughly. If a patient tells you or is showing signs of dental anxiety, ask them about it. You may be able to learn about what causes it for them and how you can help ease fears. Explaining procedures to patients can help prepare them and let them know what to expect. Asking if there is anything you can do to ease fears or anxiety can also allow open communication between provider and patient. Before probing and scaling, I ask patients to please let me know if they feel any pain or discomfort during the procedures so they feel comfortable sharing and we can address any issues as they come. Listen without judgement and welcome questions if they have any. This will help patients feel more comfortable with you.
All of these things can be taken into account to help create a more enjoyable experience for patients during their visits. I’m hesitant to admit, but I used to look at some of these accommodations as an extra hassle and time wasted. We all know how time is precious during appointments. However, over the years of practising, I have realized that these little things add up to create a positive experience and help make it easier for me to best treat patients, and also aids in creating rapport and trust. Some people may avoid dental visits due to dental anxiety, leading to greater dental issues that perpetuate these fears, but armed with some of these tips we can play a role in changing that narrative one patient at a time.
About the Author
Julianne Souza, RDH, has been practicing as a dental hygienist for 10 years and has a passion for patient education and oral health awareness. She enjoys sharing experiences with and connecting with other dental professionals as it is a great way to learn from each other and elevate the dental hygiene profession. Contact her at jsouzardh@gmail.com or follow along on Instagram @thewanderingtoothfairy to connect.
