We recognize the importance of addressing needle phobia and strive to create a comfortable and supportive dental environment for all our patients.
Our adult daughter has cerebral palsy and requires being fully sedated when having anything done. The DAC was such a positive experience. Dr Hoffmann and his staff were kind and did great explaining things. As a mom, I had a lot of questions about how certain things would be done as usually she’s in her chair when getting examined at her local dentist and they had everything under control including transferring from her chair to the dentist chair and keeping her secured in the dentist chair as well as keeping her neck and legs comfortable. Many thanks to them!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re grateful for your trust and happy to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is always to provide compassionate, attentive care in a safe and comfortable environment. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
TWENTY YEARS! That is how long our special needs son has been seeing Dr Hoffman and his dedicated team! Our son suffers from an intellectual disability, is non-verbal, and is unable to cooperate for dental cleaning, x-rays, or other routine dental work. He requires general anesthesia. It is such a blessing to avoid a hospital setting just for dental work.
The team is always well staffed, friendly, personable and very professional. Every single year we have been supported by a deeply caring team who are dedicated to patients with a very wide range of disabilities and needs. They have shared useful dental advice and tools (3 sided toothbrushes, blocks to hold open their mouth for daily at-home care, etc.) which improved our son’s daily dental care. We always receive a call back the day after to check his recovery-even on weekends!
Highly recommended and so appreciative to have this team supporting our ever long road of raising a special needs son.
Response from the owner:Wow — thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We are so grateful for your trust and for allowing our team to be part of your family’s journey over the years. It means so much to us to know that our care and support have made a difference. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
We've been coming to Dr.Hoffman for twenty years. There's a reason we keep coming back! He's great. His staff is great. He's double boarded as an MD (Anesthesia) and DDS!!! Our son with special needs needs sedation for even a cleaning. You get what you pay for. He's expensive and... we know he's getting the best care!
Response from the owner:Thank you for trusting our team over the years and for your kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our staff. We truly value your confidence in the care we provide!
Omg!! This place is Amazing! The people who work here are so very nice and understanding. I love this team
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to have such wonderful patients.
Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has
dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence.
Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!
For many people, the thought of needles can evoke intense feelings of fear and anxiety. This fear, known as needle phobia or trypanophobia, can be particularly challenging when it comes to medical procedures such as dental work, where needles are commonly used for anesthesia or other treatments. However, it’s essential to recognize that needle phobia is a common issue and that there are strategies available to help individuals overcome this fear.
Understanding Needle Phobia
Needle phobia is not merely a dislike of needles but rather a deep-seated fear that can cause significant distress and avoidance behaviors. It often stems from a combination of factors, including:
- Previous traumatic experiences: A negative or painful experience with needles in the past can contribute to the development of needle phobia.
- Fear of pain: Many people associate needles with pain, leading to heightened anxiety about medical procedures.
- Afraid of the numb sensation: Local anesthesia temporarily blocks nerve signals in the mouth, resulting in a loss of sensation. Some individuals fear the feeling of numbness or the sensation of not being in control of their mouth.
- Fear of loss of control: The feeling of vulnerability when receiving an injection can also trigger fear, especially for individuals who prefer to maintain control over their bodies.
How The Dental Anesthesia Center Can Help
Here’s how The Dental Anesthesia Center can help individuals overcome their fear of needles:
- Understanding and Empathy: We are specifically trained to be understanding and empathetic towards patients with needle phobia. We take the time to listen to our patient’s concerns and fears, providing reassurance and support throughout the dental procedure.
- Patient Education: The Dental Anesthesia Center believes in the power of patient education to alleviate anxiety. We take the time to thoroughly explain each step of the dental procedure, including using needles for anesthesia, ensuring that patients understand what to expect and why it’s necessary.
- Gentle Approach: We gently administer injections, prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing discomfort as much as possible. Techniques such as applying topical numbing agents or using ultra-fine needles can help make the injection process more comfortable for patients.
- Sedation Options: For patients with severe needle phobia or anxiety, we offer sedation options to help them relax during dental procedures. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedatives, or intravenous (IV) sedation can help patients feel calm and comfortable throughout their treatment.
Our Commitment to You
The Dental Anesthesia Center is committed to helping you overcome your fear of needles and receive the dental care you need in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. By understanding your unique needs and fears, we strive to make dental visits a positive and stress-free experience. Contact us to schedule your appointment.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
