If you suffer from significant dental anxiety, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety affects nearly 20% of the population.
At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.
In this article, we will help you learn how to recognize the symptoms of dental anxiety, how to cope with it, and how proper dental treatment can lead to less stress and a more positive experience at the dentist.
Dr. Thoms and staff are Amazing! My son is Autistic and he loves it there. It’s always scary to put your child with disabilities under anesthesia. So it’s a relief to have such compassionate professionals to rely upon They are so sweet and kind to him it’s so nice to have people who genuinely care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone who visits our office. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and for trusting us with your family’s care.
The Dental Anesthesia Center (DAC) is awesome. When I started there 19 years ago my dental health had deteriorated and my fears were intense. Their expertise and compassion got me back on the right dental track. I still get nervous - but things are so much better now in terms of my dental and gum health.. Don't lose hope - try the DAC!
My appointment today was for a cleaning - and a standard check of gum health etc. Carrie - as always - did EXCELLENT work. She is very kind and thorough and knowledgeable .. and patiently answers all my questions. Carrie is positive and supportive with us patients ... and provides guidance on better at-home care for our teeth and gums.
My thanks also to the office staff who are very helpful with questions or concerns.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust and kind words! We're honored to have be part of your journey. It means so much to know we've made a lasting impact—your story is truly inspiring!
We’re very thankful to have found the kind folks at the dental anesthesia center. They are patient and informative with what’s needed and how it will get done. Big shoutout to Rebekah and crew at the front desk who always help us figure out all the paperwork and scheduling. Thank you Dr. Behl for your awesome bedside manner! Highly recommend to others
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, helpful care.
The entire team at The Dental Anesthesia Center is exceptional.
Not only is Dr. Hoffmann a 10/10 dentist, but he is very trustworthy and only recommends procedures when necessary.
The dental hygienists are uniformly wonderful. During cleanings, they are gentle but are still able to carry on a conversation as they work.
If i moved an hour away, I would still drive my family here for any dental needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so grateful for your trust in our team and are glad your experience with our doctors and hygienists has been a positive one. We truly appreciate your support!
I love this dentist office! Everyone is so friendly and accommodating. Dr. Thoms is an excellent dentist that listens to you and makes sure everything is done to your satisfaction. They do TRUE dental sedation. Not just give you a pill like other offices’s that claim they do sedation. Since I am allergic to medicine a dentist normally uses I have to be truly sedated to have work done on my teeth. They do Botox for teeth grinding and TMJ also
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind 5-star review! We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback and are glad you had a positive experience with our team and services. Your trust means so much to us.
What is Dental Anxiety?
Dental anxiety means being stressed or anxious about visiting the dentist. Each person is different. Therefore, the cause and intensity of their anxiety will vary. Dental anxiety can be attributed to a variety of factors. Certain things about the dental setting may trigger their stress, such as a fear of needles. The perceived lack of control during a dental appointment can also cause a person to feel uneasy.
Dental fear, dental anxiety, and dental phobia are often used interchangeably but are not all the same. They are different psychological stages. A person who experiences dental anxiety has apprehension or feels a sense of danger or uneasiness in dental situations. On the other hand, dental fear or phobia is regarded as a physiological, emotional, and behavioral response to a feared stimulus.
A person with a dental phobia has a more severe condition than anxiety. They may feel terrified and panic-stricken. They may know their fear is irrational, but they cannot do anything about it. Anxiety will cause some patients to postpone or skip their dental appointments. However, most people still see their dentist despite feeling nervous or stressed. Yet, dental fear or phobia may keep them from going to the dentist, even when in severe pain or in an emergency.
Is Dental Anxiety Normal?
Nearly 75% of Americans feel some anxiety about going to the dentist. As many as 20% have a more significant form of dental anxiety and fear.
There can be many reasons why some people experience fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. Some of the common reasons include the following:
Fear of pain
Fear of needles or injections
Fear the injection won’t work
Fear of the side effects from the anesthetics
Fear of not being in control
Embarrassment or self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth
Loss of personal space
Feelings of helplessness
Dislike of clinical smells
So the simple answer is yes, dental anxiety is normal for more than half of all Americans. Therefore, if you feel this way, you’re not alone.
How to Cope With Dental Anxiety
Fortunately, there are many ways to cope with your dental anxiety or fear. Modern dentistry has made significant advancements in recent years. Many of today’s dental procedures are considerably less painful or even pain-free. If you have not been to the dentist because you suffer from moderate to a severe dental phobia, Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann is here to help you. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver the gentle dental care you deserve.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
