Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Three Effective Ways To Help Overcome Your Dental Phobia
Eleanor Crawford
While many people contend with varying degrees of anxiety about visiting the dentist, others suffer from a full-fledged phobia of receiving this type of important healthcare. Those who fall into the latter category, which can include up to 20 percent of Americans, might take extreme steps to avoid visiting the dentist which, in turn, can lead to complications concerning their oral health. If you identify with the group that has dental phobia, knowing that you're not alone is helpful, but not a true solution. Instead, it's useful to take a series of steps that can help you alleviate this discomfort and ensure that you're making regular dental appointments.
Share Your Concerns With Your Dentist
It's important to remember that dentists are used to dealing with patients who have varying degrees of concern about booking appointments. Don't be afraid to share your concerns with your dentist, as doing so can help you alleviate some of the fear you're experiencing. Be as specific as possible, and you'll find that the dentist will be able to not only listen to you, but also offer some solutions. For example, if you tell an anecdote about a former dentist making you feel badly about having a cavity, your current dentist will likely explain how he or she does not judge patients, but merely helps improve their dental health.
Find Helpful Distractions
Given that a key element of your dental phobia might be dreading the idea of scheduling a checkup and sitting in the dentist's chair, you can find multiple ways to keep distracted during the appointment. Loading a meditation or relaxation album onto your smartphone is a simple idea that is effective. You can begin listening to the recording to alleviate your fear as you sit in the waiting room and continue listening throughout the course of the checkup. Putting a favorite video on your phone or a tablet can also be effective.
Inquire About Sedation
Dental clinics offer a wide range of sedation options for patients with minor anxiety all the way to serious phobias. When you book your checkup over the phone, ask about the clinic's available methods of sedation, and then evaluate which choice you think would suit you best. Methods can range from a mild sedative that simply helps you relax all the way up to those that allow you to sleep soundly for the duration of the appointment, thereby missing anything that might increase your phobia.
For more information, visit dental websites like http://hcdentistry.com.
Share