"Feel the fear - and do it anyway"
Some people can be very fearful of visiting the dentist - this fear can present itself as mild anxiety through to blinding fear. For some of these people, the fear will have kept them away from the dentist for many years, driven only to attend by severe discomfort, setting up an association between discomfort & visiting the dentist.For others (and we meet many), there has been a "bad experience" with a previous dentist that taints all subsequent visits. An entire generation received relative analgesia through a "rubber mask", and some received treatment after no anaesthetic at all. All of these patients need our help, understanding & empathy. Here at Absolute Dental we want to replace those bad memories or experiences with positive ones. As soon as you walk through our doors we want you to fell that you are amongst friends. We take time to listen to your fears & concerns and work with you to provide you with the care you need at a level you are comfortable with.We have tricks up our sleeves to make all aspects of dental treatment comfortable - but our main weapon in anxiety control is our team. We have a dedicated team of professionals who are there to help. We listen & support you and never underestimate the power of fear. We build trusting relationships with our patients giving them confidence to visit us on a regular basis. Patients who described themselves as "phobic" when they first visited the practice, now tell others how we have helped them to start combating their fears - but don't just take our word for it...
A touching testimonial from one of our converted phobic patients...
...As a child of the Seventies, Dentists held a special place in my mind, usually at the back of it. Anyone reading this that had dental work as a child during the Seventies will understand what I mean, little or no pain relief, being held down whilst the dentist did his best to do his work, crowded and stuffy waiting rooms and the dreaded 'rubber mask', If I close my eyes I can still smell the rubber. So when I reached my teens I simply stopped going to the dentist, if I brushed my teeth twice a day they’d be no problems and no need for dentists. I happily went along for the next 20 years, my teeth getting progressively worse but I could manage it. Then it happened, one toffee too many and my tooth broke. As it was after neglecting my teeth for all those years, I was only able to eat on one side, “The Extra Toffee” why didn’t I stop, I had no choice, and the pain was too much,
I had to go ... To the Dentist…
The first thing that struck me was how much it had changed. I walked through the door, I smelt flowers and scented candles I was greeted by attentive staff who knew who I was, why I was there and who I’d be seeing. The waiting area was light, spacious and relaxing. My dentist, Mr. John talked to me he explained what he’d be doing, why he’d be doing it, what I should do if I needed him to stop. He showed me the instruments of his trade and explained what they did. The dental nurse was on hand, overseeing everything in a calm and efficient manner, no rush, no panic we’ll go at your pace. Absolute Dental help me to manage my teeth, dental hygiene and spreading the cost and over time have restored my faith. Although the smell of the rubber mask is still there, the anxiety is not and for that “I Thank You”
Some people can be very fearful of visiting the dentist - this fear can present itself as mild anxiety through to blinding fear. For some of these people, the fear will have kept them away from the dentist for many years, driven only to attend by severe discomfort, setting up an association between discomfort & visiting the dentist.For others (and we meet many), there has been a "bad experience" with a previous dentist that taints all subsequent visits. An entire generation received relative analgesia through a "rubber mask", and some received treatment after no anaesthetic at all. All of these patients need our help, understanding & empathy. Here at Absolute Dental we want to replace those bad memories or experiences with positive ones. As soon as you walk through our doors we want you to fell that you are amongst friends. We take time to listen to your fears & concerns and work with you to provide you with the care you need at a level you are comfortable with.We have tricks up our sleeves to make all aspects of dental treatment comfortable - but our main weapon in anxiety control is our team. We have a dedicated team of professionals who are there to help. We listen & support you and never underestimate the power of fear. We build trusting relationships with our patients giving them confidence to visit us on a regular basis. Patients who described themselves as "phobic" when they first visited the practice, now tell others how we have helped them to start combating their fears - but don't just take our word for it...
A touching testimonial from one of our converted phobic patients...
...As a child of the Seventies, Dentists held a special place in my mind, usually at the back of it. Anyone reading this that had dental work as a child during the Seventies will understand what I mean, little or no pain relief, being held down whilst the dentist did his best to do his work, crowded and stuffy waiting rooms and the dreaded 'rubber mask', If I close my eyes I can still smell the rubber. So when I reached my teens I simply stopped going to the dentist, if I brushed my teeth twice a day they’d be no problems and no need for dentists. I happily went along for the next 20 years, my teeth getting progressively worse but I could manage it. Then it happened, one toffee too many and my tooth broke. As it was after neglecting my teeth for all those years, I was only able to eat on one side, “The Extra Toffee” why didn’t I stop, I had no choice, and the pain was too much,
I had to go ... To the Dentist…
The first thing that struck me was how much it had changed. I walked through the door, I smelt flowers and scented candles I was greeted by attentive staff who knew who I was, why I was there and who I’d be seeing. The waiting area was light, spacious and relaxing. My dentist, Mr. John talked to me he explained what he’d be doing, why he’d be doing it, what I should do if I needed him to stop. He showed me the instruments of his trade and explained what they did. The dental nurse was on hand, overseeing everything in a calm and efficient manner, no rush, no panic we’ll go at your pace. Absolute Dental help me to manage my teeth, dental hygiene and spreading the cost and over time have restored my faith. Although the smell of the rubber mask is still there, the anxiety is not and for that “I Thank You”
Written by Diane Cox RDN
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