Fear!! How does that word affect you? And what about the word “dentist”? For many people, these 2 words arouse similar emotions–apprehension, panic, dread, terror. Despite the many technological advances that have made being a dental patient easier than ever, there are those that would rather pay taxes, give birth, and yes, suffer, than confront their fears head on. So, why is going to the dentist more stressful for this large segment of the population? For those who are willing to openly discuss the issue, there is almost universally an event that triggered the response. Dental phobias or fears gone to the extreme are learned behaviors, not inherently present. On a conscious level, most people who avoid dental treatment, would acknowledge that going to the dentist doesn’t make them feel safe–a prime emotional instinct that we all share.
So how do patients overcome this debilitating obstacle? First, patients must find someone they trust to help them regain the experience of trust–that may or may not be a dental professional. Second, patients must be intentional about expressing their own needs and desires to a dentist with whom they are beginning to develop a new relationship. Patients need to understand that behind every controlling fear is a lie that they are choosing to believe as truth. Third, by allowing the process of faith in self, in others, and in a Higher Power to replace these lies with new truths, they will ultimately replace the old destructive thought patterns with new experiences. As a result, any patient who is in limbo with oral health will ultimately find hope and health and the healing they desperately need or want. This process can be lengthy, difficult and costly, but will in many cases unblock other areas of one’s life where being “stuck” has power over them. Contrary to the bad public relations that accompany dentists portrayed in the movies, there are dentists out there who are specifically trained to help you and want to give you more than an “extreme makeover”—they want to help you smile from the inside out.