I grew up in Whangārei and have been practising dentistry since graduating from Otago in 1997. In that time I have noticed a pattern with anxious patients. Very often, the first time I meet someone who is frightened of the dentist is when a tooth has started to hurt and they feel they have no choice. By then, something small has usually become something bigger.
I want to explain why that happens, where dental anxiety tends to come from, and what you can do yourself to make the next visit easier.
Where dental anxiety comes from
Everyone is different, but when I talk it through with patients, the same few things come up again and again:
- A bad experience in the past, often as a child, where treatment hurt or felt rushed
- Feeling out of control, lying back in the chair and not knowing what is coming next
- The sounds, the smells, needles, or a strong gag reflex
- Embarrassment about the state of your teeth, or about how long it has been
- Worry about what the treatment is going to cost
It is worth working out which of these applies to you. Knowing what the fear is attached to makes it much easier to do something about it, and it tells your dentist where to start.
Why staying away makes it harder
Avoiding the dentist does not make the problem go away. Decay and gum disease usually develop quietly, without pain, until they are well advanced. A cavity that could have been a small filling can turn into a root canal or an extraction.
Then the bigger treatment seems to confirm the fear and increase costs, then the gap before the next visit gets longer. That is the cycle. Regular check-ups break it, because they catch things while they are small, quick and comfortable to fix.
How to prepare yourself
There is a lot we do in the clinic to help nervous patients, but there are also things you can do that make a real difference.
Before you book
- Be specific about what worries you. “I hate needles” or “I gag easily” is more useful to us than “I’m nervous”, although that is a perfectly good place to start.
- Write down any questions. Anxiety makes it easy to forget what you meant to ask.
On the day
- Book early. A morning appointment means less time spent dreading it.
- Bring someone with you if it helps, or bring your own headphones and music.
- Avoid too much coffee beforehand. Caffeine can make anxiety feel worse.
- Agree a stop signal before anything starts, such as raising your hand. Knowing you can stop things is often enough on its own.
- We have a television mounted on the roof to provide a visual distraction .
Afterwards
- Book your next visit before you leave. The longer the gap, the bigger the next appointment feels.
- Notice what went better than you expected. Each visit that goes well makes the next one easier.
If cost is part of the worry
For a lot of people in Northland, the fear is not just about the chair. It is about the bill. Please do not let that keep you away. We offer Afterpay and work together to make a plan that suits you and your budget We provide WINZ dental treatment, and Work and Income may be able to help eligible patients with the cost of immediate and essential dental work. We also treat ACC dental injury claims, and our team can walk you through what might apply to you.
If you need more support
For some people, time, patience and good communication are enough. For others the anxiety is more severe. If that is you, tell us. We will talk through what would make treatment manageable for you and, where needed, discuss further options.
What we will actually find
If it has been a long time, it is natural to imagine the worst. In my experience, most things we find can be fixed, and there is almost always more than one option. Knowing what is going on is usually far less stressful than wondering.
Frequently asked questions about dental anxiety
Very. Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons people put off seeing a dentist. It affects people of all ages, and many who feel it assume they are the only one.
Usually, yes. Tooth decay and gum disease often develop without pain until they are well advanced. Problems that could have been fixed quickly and comfortably at a check-up can turn into larger treatment if they are left.
Tell the practice you are anxious when you book, choose an early appointment so you are not worrying all day, write down any questions, and consider bringing a support person or your own headphones. Agreeing a stop signal with your dentist before you start can also help you feel in control.
Yes. Many nervous patients find it helps to have a partner, friend or family member with them. Let us know when you book.
If you qualify, you can apply to Work and Income for up to $1,000 in any 52-week period to help with immediate and essential dental treatment. You do not have to pay it back. Dental North provides WINZ dental treatment and our team can talk you through the process.
When you are ready
The hardest part is usually getting in touch. You can read more about how we look after nervous patients, including how your first visit can simply be a conversation, on our Nervous Patients page.
Book a dental check-up today or call us on 09 777 0114 and mention that you are feeling anxious.
Book an appointment