If you were to rank the health care providers you had to see from the most enjoyable to the least enjoyable, visiting the dentist would likely be at the low end of the scale—hovering near the gynecologist.
For many people, visiting the dentist isn’t a big deal. You go in, get a cleaning (hey, let’s be honest, your teeth never look as good as when you walk out the door of the dentist’s office), see the dentist, hopefully get the all-clear, and carry on with your day. But for some, the thought of going to the dentist is terrifying, so much so that they avoid it altogether, putting their whole health at risk.
Dental anxiety impacts about 36% of people in the US. But why is it an issue, and how do people get over it? According to Dr. Andy, fear of the dentist typically starts when a child has an unaddressed bad experience.
“If you are experiencing pain and tell the dentist, but he or she does nothing about it because they are trying to get finished, that’s an issue,” said Dr. Andy Engel of Living Dental Health.
Like most things in life, communication is critical. However, in big offices where dentists see a lot of patients in a day, time for communication is put on the back burner.
“Corporate dentists have to see such a high volume of patients that it is tough to make time for them, so the responsibility for communication and understanding what is going on with patients isn’t as high of a priority,” said Dr. Andy.
While Bend mostly has small dental offices, more and more corporate dental offices are coming to the area. Their priority is seeing as many patients as possible in a day. When time is tight, communication is less of a priority. But even in small practices, some dentists aren’t big talkers, which can make patients feel unimportant and unheard.
Anxiety starts from a disconnect between the patient and the dentist. Dr. Andy states, “When you feel connected to your dentist by having a good rapport and communication, you feel heard and acknowledged, which builds trust and helps dissolve anxiety.”
But many patients with dental anxiety don’t bother trying to find a dentist who will genuinely hear them. They wait and wait and wait to get a simple dental exam and cleaning, and eventually, a big dental issue happens, often resulting in lots of pain, which only adds to the anxiety. If someone waits long enough, health issues in other parts of their body may begin to appear.
“Putting off dental care is an issue because routine exams aim to identify issues before they become a problem,” said Dr. Andy. “If a patient is forced to see a dentist due to an oral issue blowing up, their dental experience often continues to be negative.”
Thankfully, this isn’t always the case.
Dr. Andy shares the story of a man with extensive dental anxiety who had consulted with a few local offices for extensive treatment that was needed, but none were the right fit. Either they weren’t comfortable handling his case, or he didn’t feel comfortable with the dentist. Eventually, he made his way to Dr. Andy and felt comfortable. He went through with the procedure and is doing great.
Positive experiences like the patient above can slowly chip away at one’s dental anxiety, which is why Living Dental Health is so different—they want to get to know their patients.
“We are the polar opposite in terms of making communication and connection a priority,” said Dr. Andy. We are what you could call a boutique dental practice focusing on personalized attention. We are dentist-owned, so I get to call the shots as the owner and dentist, which means I insist on making time for patients.”
When someone calls the office inquiring about a new patient appointment and shares that they have dental anxiety or are unsure if they want to become a patient, Dr. Andy offers them a 15-minute complimentary consult, also known as a meet and greet. This gives prospective patients a test drive of the office at no cost, which helps alleviate the pressure and what-ifs many feel.
“We want the patient to feel connected, heard, and acknowledged, and this ‘test drive’ allows potential patients to see and feel what it is like to be a patient of our practice,” said Dr. Andy. “This short visit is a win-win for the office and the patient – we get to know them and understand their concerns, which is important for providing good care, and they get to know us.”
Even if it is just the dentist, a test drive is good, especially for those with dental anxiety.
If you or someone you know has dental anxiety, Dr. Andy wants to know. The more people who can experience positive dentistry, the better. A healthy mouth makes for a healthy body. Learn more on our website.