Overcoming dental anxiety with a trained therapy dog.
Dental anxiety is a completely natural fear and for some patients, a very hard one to overcome. For patients with this anxiety, however, those who require dental treatments or a check-up and clean find themselves putting off the dental treatment as they don’t want to confront the fear.
What is a Therapy Dog?
A Therapy Dog is a dog that has been trained with its owner to provide therapeutic intervention to patients in the community. Research has found that dogs cortisol levels can sync with their owners, meaning they can sense when someone is stressed, feeling down, depressed or even lonely, and naturally want to provide their companion with their unconditional love and support.
The My Dental Care Difference
At My Dental Care at West End, we want all of our patients to feel welcome into our practice and calm and comfortable when going into any treatment. By bringing our Cavoodle Molar into our practice, our team (and Molar, of course) aim to ensure all patients feel this way.
Book A Dental Treatment with Molar
If you’re considering dental treatment but have hesitated due to anxiety or fear of the dentist, contact our team to see how Molar can help! You can learn more about Therapy Dogs here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dental anxiety, and how common is it?
Dental anxiety refers to the fear or stress associated with visiting the dentist. It can range from mild uneasiness to severe phobia, often leading individuals to avoid dental care altogether. This anxiety is surprisingly common, affecting approximately 36% of the population to varying degrees, with around 12% experiencing extreme fear.
At My Dental Care @ West End, we understand how real and challenging dental anxiety can be, which is why we take extra steps to create a calming environment for our patients. One unique way we address dental anxiety is through the presence of Molar, our friendly Therapy Dog. Molar is always ready to offer comfort and companionship during your visit, making the experience more pleasant and helping to ease any nervousness you may feel.
In addition to Molar’s soothing presence, we provide other tools to make your visit as stress-free as possible. We offer headphones for patients to listen to music or podcasts during procedures, or you’re welcome to bring your own. To further enhance your comfort, we also have a weighted blanket, The Wand, and Happy Gas, all designed to help alleviate dental anxiety and ensure a relaxed and positive experience.
Our commitment to your comfort, combined with these thoughtful amenities, ensures that your dental care experience is as stress-free as possible.
Is happy gas a safe option for managing dental anxiety?
Yes, happy gas (nitrous oxide sedation) is a safe and effective option for managing dental anxiety at My Dental Care @ West End. Our team is highly trained in administering happy gas, ensuring you feel relaxed and at ease throughout your visit. This form of sedation is mild yet effective, helping to calm your nerves while allowing you to remain fully conscious and responsive during the procedure.
To further enhance your comfort, we also have Molar, our Therapy Dog, who provides additional emotional support. Molar has been specially trained to assist anxious patients, creating a soothing and calming environment. Combined with the use of happy gas, Molar’s comforting presence ensures a peaceful and stress-free dental experience.
What Causes Dental Anxiety and How Can I Overcome It?
Causes: Dental anxiety often stems from past negative experiences (painful treatments, unfriendly staff), fear of needles or drilling sounds, a sense of lost control in the chair, or embarrassment about oral health. For some, it’s simply the unfamiliar sights and smells of a dental office.
Overcoming It:
- Open Communication: Tell us about your fears so we can tailor our approach.
- Gradual Exposure: Start with a simple check‑up or just a meet‑and‑greet with Molar in the waiting area.
- Relaxation Techniques: Practice deep breathing, guided imagery, or listen to calming music through noise‑reducing headphones during treatment.
- Therapy Dog Support: Interact with Molar before and during your visit to lower stress hormones and ground your emotions.
What Should I Expect During a “Dog‑Assisted” Dental Visit?
- Warm Welcome with Molar: On arrival, you’ll meet Molar in our reception area—feel free to give pats or simply sit nearby and enjoy the calm.
- Pre‑Treatment Check‑In: We’ll discuss your concerns, review your comfort preferences, and introduce any relaxation aids (headphones, music).
- Molar Remains Close By: During treatment, Molar will rest quietly in the room or just outside the door, ready to offer reassurance if you feel tense.
- Post‑Procedure Unwinding: Once your procedure is done, you can spend a few moments with Molar to help you leave the clinic feeling relaxed and supported.
How can I manage my dental anxiety before and during a visit?
Managing dental anxiety effectively requires a combination of preparation before your visit and support during your appointment. At My Dental Care @ West End, we understand that dental anxiety is a real concern for many, and we are committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible.
Before Your Visit:
- Prepare Mentally: Take time to relax and focus on positive outcomes. Practice deep-breathing exercises or meditation to calm your mind.
- Communicate Your Fears: Before your appointment, communicate your anxieties with us. This allows our team to tailor the appointment to your needs, ensuring extra care and patience throughout the procedure.
During Your Visit:
- Sedation Options: We offer various forms of dental sedation that can be tailored to your comfort level. These options help you stay relaxed and can make the experience more bearable.
- Distractions: Bring headphones to listen to music or podcasts during your procedure. This can help divert your attention and reduce stress.
- Molar, the Therapy Dog: Our in-house therapy dog, Molar, can be present during your appointment to offer comfort and emotional support. Interacting with a therapy dog has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve overall patient comfort.
Remember, our team at My Dental Care @ West End is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring a comfortable environment for your dental care.
What should I do if I feel nervous about my dental appointment?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous about a dental appointment, but we want to make sure you feel as relaxed as possible. If you’re feeling anxious, please don’t hesitate to let us know before your appointment. We will work with you to address your concerns and offer solutions to help you feel comfortable. This could include having Molar, our therapy dog, by your side, using headphones to listen to your favourite music, or providing you with a weighted blanket for added relaxation. Our goal is to make sure your experience is positive and stress-free.
What other methods do you use to help patients with dental anxiety?
Aside from Molar’s soothing companionship, we provide a variety of additional options to help alleviate dental anxiety. Our patients can enjoy listening to music or podcasts through headphones, allowing them to focus on something relaxing during their treatment. We also offer weighted blankets for additional comfort, and for more significant anxiety, we have options like happy gas (nitrous oxide) and needle-free anaesthesia with The Wand. These amenities, paired with Molar’s calming influence, ensure that your dental care experience is as stress-free as possible.
What Other Comfort Techniques Do You Offer for Anxious Patients?
Besides our therapy dog, Molar, we provide a range of options to make your visit as relaxed as possible:
- Noise‑Cancelling Headphones & Music: Block out dental noises and focus on your favourite tunes.
- Gentle Dentistry Tools: We use quieter handpieces and vibration‑reducing instruments to minimise discomfort.
- Clear Step‑by‑Step Explanations: Knowing what’s coming next helps reduce fear of the unknown.
- Topical Numbing Gels: Applied before injections to make any needle prick nearly painless.
- Sedation Options: From mild oral sedatives to nitrous oxide (Happy Gas), we can discuss safe sedation methods if needed.
What makes dental anxiety so difficult to overcome for some patients?
Dental anxiety can be challenging to overcome because it often stems from a variety of emotional and physical triggers. These can include past painful experiences, fear of the unknown, or even the sounds and smells associated with a dental office. For some, these feelings can be so overwhelming that they avoid dental care altogether. At My Dental Care @ West End, we understand how real this fear can be, which is why we’ve introduced Molar, our therapy dog, to provide support and help patients feel at ease during their visits.
