Say ‘Aghhhhhhhhh!’ Overcoming dental anxiety

Some individuals look forward to the sweet escapism of resting in a comfy chair with one’s feet up, watching re-runs of Spongebob Squarepants or learning about the migratory habits of elephants through Botswana.

However, for others, a prospective visit to the dentist can trigger a cascade of such intense thoughts and feelings, that they would rather cope with the pain of gum disease than the emotional discomfort of a pending dental appointment.

There are myriad reasons that we may consciously or subconsciously avoid dental work – the loss of control in the situation, the persistent memory of a past experience, a desire to delay bad news, or sensory triggers (e.g. bright lights, drill noise) that provoke a physiological response.

Getting to the root of the problem

Avoiding the dentist reduces your ability to experience the gradual reduction of fear over prolonged exposure and to directly challenge the fearful beliefs and expectations about the visit. Additionally, the potential health impacts of delaying dental checks can be serious and wide-ranging, from periodontitis through to difficulties with blood glucose regulation. If you believe that there could be more to your dental avoidance than simple procrastination, it may be important to take some time to understand and address the barriers.

Strategies for Managing Dental Fear and Anxiety

A psychologist can assist with assessment of dental anxiety and related phobias, as
well as the planning and implementation of strategies to promote behaviour change.
These may include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps patients identify, change, and restructure negative thought patterns and fears related to dental visits.
• Gradual Exposure: Slowly and supportively exposes the patient to the dental environment or small steps (like a simple cleaning) to build tolerance of distress over time.
• Relaxation Techniques: Uses deep belly breathing, meditation, and
  progressive muscle relaxation to lower heart rate and reduce stress.
• Distraction: Involves listening to music or podcasts through noise-cancelling headphones or watching a screen to block out clinical sounds.
• Communication and Control: Establishing a non-verbal hand signal lets patients pause the dentist instantly, restoring a sense of control.

A bite-sized takeway

Finally, a range of medical and pharmacological coping strategies can assist with treating dental anxiety or phobias that are complex or prove difficult to treat with the above approaches. These can be explored in collaboration with your dentist and typically involve the use of analgesia and sedation to aid relaxation.

Written by Malini De Silva, Clinical Psychologist at Lawson Clinical Psychology

More information

If you or a loved one is experiencing anxiety or avoidance relating to dental
procedures, please contact our friendly client team to discuss, by emailing our team at reception@lawsonpsychology.com.au or calling us on 08 6143 4499.

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