Dental Fear
Dental Anxiety
We Offer Dental Patients a No Shame, No Fear way to Receive Treatment for their Dental Issues.
A Kind, Caring Dentist for Patients with ‘Dental Fear’
Dr. Scott Shamblott is often called the ‘no fear’ dentist thanks to his kind, caring approach to patients with dental phobias and anxiety. At Shamblott Family Dentistry, Dr. Shamblott and the staff take your dental fear and anxiety seriously. We offer dental-phobic patients a no-shame atmosphere and kind, attentive treatment to help you relax and get the dental treatment you need. Learn more about our process for working with dental fear patients and the services we offer to make your dental visit comfortable.
Dental fear is very common and it often causes individuals to avoid the dentist. Dental fear most commonly comes from unpleasant past experiences, or from horror stories that have been passed down from one person to another. Some of the common dental fears include fear of needles or injections, fear of anesthetic not working, or fear of becoming numb or dizzy. Often times the feeling of helplessness when lying in the chair and not knowing what’s happening can cause fear as well. One common misconception is that all dental procedures are painful.
Dr. Shamblott Literally Wrote the Book on How to Find a Dentist Who Understands Dental Phobia
Everyone at Shamblott Family Dentistry understands that for some people the fear of going to the dentist is simply too much. In order to overcome this, we’ve turned to sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is a way to get the necessary treatment done in a non-threatening manner. But, sedation dentistry is for more than just those who fear the dentist. Patients needing complex surgical procedures, including multiple procedures such as crowns, bridges, root canals, wisdom teeth, extractions, tooth-colored fillings, dentures, partials, implants, cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, gum disease treatments (periodontal disease), TMJ treatments, and/or night guards also benefit from sedation dentistry.
Are you fearful of going to the dentist? Here are some tips to try!
- Try to distract yourself while in the chair.
- Bring a magazine or headphones/i-pod to keep your mind occupied and focused on something else
- Try relaxation techniques – take deep breaths and let it out slowly
- Opt for anesthesia gas
- Watch a movie (at our office) with our video glasses while the procedure is being done
Surveys of patients suggest that most people anticipate dental procedures to be worse than they actually are. Take charge of your dental fear and tackle it head on!
Shamblott Family Dentistry’s Special Approach for Patients who have Dental Anxieties
If you suffer from dental phobias, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that approximately 30 to 50 percent of adults are afraid to go to the dentist. We understand your fears and take special steps to help you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your appointment.
Sometimes it helps if you know what to expect during your dental appointment. Here is a summary of our personal, caring approach and services just for dental phobic patients.
Before Your Visit
- Talk to the receptionist by phone, and get a feel for the kind and caring nature of our office.
- Complete forms online and at home, so you spend less time sitting in the office waiting room.
- Bring music, or read a book or one of our magazines to keep entertained and distracted while in the waiting room.
What to Expect When You Arrive
- Once you arrive at Shamblott Family Dentistry, you’re greeted by our smiling and friendly receptionist.
- Check in with the receptionist.
- Relax in the lobby with your personal entertainment.
Meet with the Dental Assistant
- An assistant will greet you and show you to “your” personal treatment room.
- You’ll then review and sign your Health History form with the assistant.
- Discuss your needs, wants and feelings with the assistant.
- The assistant will then work with you to take X-rays as needed. All of our X-rays are digital, which speeds processing and allows immediate viewing. Digital X-rays are also incredibly safe, using much less radiation than traditional dental X-rays.
- The dental assistant will also take some photographs of your teeth.
The Dental Appointment
- After the X-rays and photographs, the dentist greets you.
- The dentist spends time with you, discussing your needs, wants and feelings. This helps our dentists understand what they can do to make you as comfortable as possible. The dentist will do everything possible to make the appointment easier for you.
- The dentist examines your mouth, X-rays, and photographs, and makes treatment recommendations.
Treatment Consultation
- You’ll meet with the Treatment Coordinator in a private consultation room at the end of the appointment for a sedation consultation and to review the treatment plan and financing options.
- Next, sedation or non-sedation (anesthesia gas) visits are scheduled. Non-sedation visits include the use of video glasses to watch DVDs during appointments.
- You’ll sign consent forms for future sedation work.
Smiling and Confident
- Patients leave smiling and confident, with a new toothbrush and toothpaste.
Sedation Dentistry and Non-Sedation Options
Sedation dentistry with a certified registered nurse-anesthetist, also called ‘sleep dentistry’, offers patients with dental phobias a way to completely relax during their dental treatment. You can catch up on years of dental neglect in as little as one or two visits, depending on the treatment needed. You won’t notice or remember a thing about your dental visit. It’s as if you ‘sleep’ through the entire treatment.
Another option is anesthesia gas. This non-sedation option helps you relax and feel comfortable during your treatment. ask about our money-saving coupon for anesthesia gas at your next appointment.
Make an Appointment Today
If you’ve put off years of dental visits or much-needed treatment because you’re afraid of going to the dentist, we urge you to call Shamblott Family Dentistry today. Dr. Shamblott and his staff understand your fears and there’s no shame in dental phobia. We want you to feel relaxed, comfortable and confident during your appointment, and we’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure your visit is pleasant.
Don’t let fear keep you from the dental care you need. Call us at: (952) 935-5599 for an appointment today.