Are you Afraid of the Dentist?
Fear of “the dentist” is pretty common. If you’ve had bad experiences with dentists in the past, it is very easy to make the assumption that dentists, in general, are bad people. There’s a theory called “construct theory”, which states that we have a tendency to ascribe certain attributes to a group of people who have something in common (in this case, dentists), based on our experiences of this group. However, these constructs (e. g. “evil” as opposed to “kind”, “bad” as opposed to “good” and so on) tend to be based on a very small number of observations.
Even if you’ve had the misfortune of running into ten dentists, none of whom was particularly kind and caring, and two or three of them who were downright horrible, this does not mean that ALL dentists conform to this “pattern”. It simply means that you were incredibly unlucky in the past. Many of the “horror” stories come from problems that blow up after years of deferred maintenance. When the problem gets bigger, so does the procedure time, cost to correct it and time involved.
The Answer? A Better Trained Dentist
Dentistry has come a long way in the past twenty years. Better pain management, streamlined procedures and better trained dentists all account for easier aspects of every dental procedure. If you have fear and anxiety associated with dentists, we have many different tricks to help relax you and ease anxiety. Better anesthesia allows for longer procedures, coupled with sedatives such as valium and Xanax and nitrous oxide, which wear off quickly and have no after effects.
Also, there are dentists who do sedation dentistry. A nurse anesthetist or a dentist, who has taken an extended class to be certified to administer sedation, can do this in the dental office. It is a conscious sedation and allows you to have your work completed with little or no memory.
Are you looking for a new dentist?
Our advice, do a little research to see what clients are saying. Look for reviews and testimonials that speak highly of the dentist and the dental practice. A dentist that is properly trained, has good bedside manner and cares about her clients has the potential to help you get over your fear – and keep you in optimal dental health.
We do complimentary initial consults so you can meet us, ask questions and alleviate your anxiety.
For over 30 years, Dr. Lee Weisbard, D.D.S., and her team have provided Colorado and beyond with the highest quality dental experience available. And it all grew out of her compassion for others and a love for the dental arts.
She has the skills and committed excellence in cosmetic, general, and dental implant dentistry that brings you the best dental care in Greenwood Village, DTC, Englewood, Cherry Hills, Littleton, and the surrounding cities of Denver. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious 2018 Colorado Businesswoman of the Year award.