New trends in dental offices are making dental anxiety a thing of the past. A Marketplace.org article discusses the emergence of “dental spas” worldwide:
About 50 million Americans say they’re scared of the dentist. Wikipedia has an entry for “dental fear.” There’s even a professional scale for measuring that anxiety. However, music and a foot massage may go a long way toward luring fearful patients into the dental chair. At least, that’s the bet being made at so-called dental spas, which are cropping up all over the world.
It’s hard to say exactly what makes a dentist office a dental spa, because no one has defined that yet. Some practices simply light candles and crank up the relaxing music. Most dental spas offer sedation or other pain and anxiety medication. A few dental practices go so far as to offer patients an actual puppy to hold.
Dental anxiety is as real to many people as the tooth decay they are suffering out of fear of the dentist’s chair. Many people experience varying degrees of dread for dental appointments, often in anticipation of pain. As the article shows, however, dental clinics are adapting various methods to make patients feel more comfortable and relaxed during their dental appointments.
People suffering from dental anxiety are on the extreme end of the dental fear spectrum, often preferring to put off any needed dental treatment, and thus increasing their risks for gum diseases and premature tooth loss. The best answer to these patients’ predicament may be sedation dentistry, particularly IV sedation, which allows the patient to feel more relaxed while undergoing treatment. Pennsylvania residents of who may have dental anxiety would do well to consult with a reputable dentist in Scranton, PAor in Dallas, PA who offers this service.
In IV sedation, a sedative drug is administered through a vein, allowing a quick response on the patient’s part. The process is also known to result to a more effective sedation than oral pills. Those who are concerned about the procedure’s safety may find assurance in knowing that a qualified Scranton or Dallas, PA sedation dentist has to complete a thorough training program and undergo continuing education before they may perform the procedure.
