Many people associate a trip to the dentist with pain, however Dentistry has evolved to a point where pain no longer needs to be a factor in the overall equation.
Why Anxiety and Pain Arise
Lack of good oral hygiene contributes to the development of gum disease and dental cavities. Inadequate oral health education and lack of awareness often results in less regular visits to the dentist. The dental problems then snowball into bigger and more severe issues as time goes by.
In addition, extreme anxiety in dental patients can often be passed to their family or friends. Not everyone enjoys visiting the dentist; some may even have had a bad experience before. More often than not some of these so-called dental anxieties may be a result of stereotypical portrayals from popular culture.
Relief from Anxiety
Patients may want to find out more information about the qualifications, experience and track record of their dentist prior to treatment. By doing so, they would have a higher level of confidence in knowing that they are in good hands. Speaking with the dentist regarding your oral health and concerns would also relieve any anxiety that may exist. Understanding what to expect and knowing more about a procedure allows the patient to be in a better position to control their anxiety levels.
Relief from Pain
Several pain management options are available. These include local anaesthesia for simple procedures, in-office intravenous sedation delivered by a team of well trained and qualified specialist anaesthetists, and general anaesthesia which is a very deep level of sedation requiring airway maintenance and breathing support with the anaesthetic machine.
There are a few factors for consideration before deciding which option is best for a patient, such as the type of procedure required, the level of comfort desired and potential financial considerations. The dentist and patient should discuss these factors prior to the procedure in order to determine the best option for the particular situation.
Relief from Financial Pain
Apart from dental pain, patients may also feel the financial pain from undergoing dental treatment. “Prevention is better than cure”. Regular visits to your dentist are important to spot problems early. A small cavity is easy and more economical to treat than a huge and deep cavity that may require extensive treatment like root canal therapy and a crown.
Speak with your dentist regarding treatment fees and payment methods to avoid any surprises. You can also ask ahead of time about the general range of fees charged by the clinic. Certain dental surgical procedures are also covered by Medisave or health insurance policies.
In addition, some clinics also have interest-free instalment plans available which would aid in providing some relief from the financial pain.
Your Dentist – Your Partner in Health
Advances in dental diagnostics and treatment coupled with highly trained and qualified dental health professionals can bring dentistry to the next level: Painless Dentistry. Remember your dentist is there to take away your pain. Start treating your dentist as your partner in oral health preservation and smile transformation and you will begin to feel less anxious about your whole dental visit.
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Dr. Ho Kok Sen is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with Specialist Dental Group™ (www.specialistdentalgroup.com) and a Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. He has a special interest in dental implants, jaw surgery, wisdom teeth extractions and other surgical procedures.
