How do dentists calm down anxious patients? 

Anxiety before visiting the hospital is a real thing. Even patients who have to visit the dental clinic often face fear. Anxiety related to visiting a dental clinic is so natural and common that it has a name to it. The anxiety you face before a dental appointment is called dentophobia. The fear of dentists, dental clinics, and treatments stems from the pain that people feel when their teeth are treated.

Moreover, some people associate the dentist with the pain they feel when their teeth fail in childhood. The fear can also come from feeling intruded from the examining tools of a dentist. A good dentist will know about the reason for your dental fear and calm you down. Often, this anxiety is unexplained, and many people are able to control it. However, the dentist should also play a role in assuring the patient and making him feel comfortable at the clinic.

How do you reassure an anxious patient?

Anxious patients can either be shy or fearful of the dentist. Some patients also laugh nervously in front of the dentist to ignore their fear. Dentists often come across cases of people who were so fearful of the clinic that they did not come to the clinic until absolutely necessary. A good dentist uses these tactics to avoid patients ignoring their health because of their dentophobia.

Communicate with the patient

Building trust with a patient is a constant process that a dentist can start through clear communication. The way the dentist communicates has a profound impact on the patient. The dentist should be confident and calm, which should also come through in the voice he uses. He should talk to the patient and try to understand the experience that has triggered his anxiety and then reassure him with his words and actions. The dentist should share information about the procedure he is going to do so the patient does not feel ignored. He should also use simple language in an age-appropriate manner so the patient does not become confused or more fearful.

Let the patient ask questions

Anxious patients are often the ones who are doubtful about the procedure they are undergoing. Some of these questions they have in their head might not be relevant, either. However, doubts and questions cause fear in the patient's mind. Therefore, a dentist always encourages the patient to ask questions.

Even if the patient does not ask anything from his side at first, the dentist should invite questions and address his queries. No matter which kind of questions the dentist faces, he should always remain calm and polite to answer them for the patient. This way, the patient feels heard and relaxed in the presence of the dentist.

Having a relaxing space

A dental clinic needs to incorporate relaxing elements into its décor and ambience to reduce the anxiety in the visiting patient’s mind. The theme of the dental clinic should be calm and soothing so that the patient can stay relaxed. The colours of the theme should be soothing pastels, and the clinic should have warm, diffused lights in place. The setting should not be too clinical or crowded. The clinic should have a calming tune or music playing in the background and, if possible, use a diffuser for aromatherapy in the ambience. This will give the patients the space to feel comfortable and let go of their worries.

Conclusion

Anxiety among dental patients is a common problem that needs to be addressed with care and caution. A dentist should be compassionate and trustworthy so the patients do not face any worry. At Proactive Dental, dentists build trust and make a patient feel at home so he or she can complete the necessary treatments.