One of the most common reasons why people suffer from dental anxiety is a traumatic experience in their past.
Whether they were a child or an adult, a dentist visit that goes wrong can have lasting psychological effects for many patients. Fortunately, those that suffer from trauma have options.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.
Dr Mike Hoffman is the best dentist I’ve ever been to. His whole practice focuses on the patient’s needs. He is the consumate professional with expertise across the dental spectrum and in anesthesia. I highly recommend him and his practice.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are proud to provide patient-centered care with a focus on comfort and safety.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
Respect the Statistics
No matter what happened to you in a dentist’s office, the odds of something bad happening again are minuscule. The truth is that dentistry is incredibly safe. Something else to note is that your trauma might not have been exactly as you remember it. This is often the case when people have their experience as a child. They recall high levels of pain, but would not feel as bad if they had been an adult at the time.
Find Someone You Trust
An excellent way to calm your nerves is the find a dentist that you trust. Often, the first step in doing so is looking at reviews online. What they will do for you in give you confidence in a provider based on the fact that so many others have been satisfied in the past. Next, you can meet that dentist and the office staff. More than likely, you’ll have a connection with them and be okay with letting them treat you.
Controlled Exposure
Controlled exposure is a technique that has been consistently proven to be effective. In a dental context, it involves you gradually exposing yourself to more and more dental anxiety. In the process, you become braver and able to fight your fear. That process might go something like this:
Talk to the dentist on the phone about your issues and the possibility of an appointment.
Drive to the dentist office, but don’t go in.
Schedule an initial consultation with no treatment.
Go to a full appointment.
Breathing Exercises
Another way to calm yourself down is through breathing exercises. What sufferers of anxiety often don’t know is that controlling your breath is critical if you want to manage your emotions. When you get worked up, you start to over breath, which creates a feedback loop that heightens anxiety. You can stop this cycle by breathing slowly and deeply, rather than the quick and choppy inhalations that characterize anxious episodes.
Consider Sedation Dentistry
Perhaps the best method of overcoming a traumatic dental experience is using sedation dentistry. What this practice involves is medicating you to the point of partial loss of consciousness. Doing so will lessen your pain response and keep you calm throughout your treatment. Sometimes, lifestyle changes are not enough and medication is necessary for getting you the oral care you need. Sedatives can fill that role for you.
No matter how traumatic your past dental experience was, you cannot avoid this type of medical care your entire life. Instead, you should do whatever you can do get back into the dentist and get the treatment you need.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
