How to Reduce Dental Fear and Anxiety for Your Patients
A 2022 survey by the Delta Dental Institute found that 95 percent of US adults agree that oral health is “essential to overall health.” Their commitment is so strong that 60 percent of respondents said they would prioritize preventative dental care even if it required a financial sacrifice.
However, financial restrictions aren’t the biggest hurdle to achieving optimal oral health outcomes. For more than one-third of people, it’s actually fear.
Thirty-six percent of US adults fear dental treatment, and 12 percent report an “extreme fear” regarding oral health procedures. For these people, dentophobia, or fear of going to the dentist, impedes achieving oral health goals.
This fear can underscore dentistry's technical and intangible aspects that often make a practice successful. Reducing dental fear and anxiety for patients can translate directly to a more effective and impactful experience.
Here are four ways that your practice can reduce dental fear and anxiety for your patients.
#1 Enhance bedside manner to improve patient comfort.
People choose to become dentists for many reasons, but the American Dental Association notes that among the top motivations is to “restore the oral health and transform the lives of their patients.” They also want to be respected members of their communities and provide benevolent care to their communities.
In other words, dentists want to care for people.
It can be hard to remember this when bottom-line realities and urgent patient demands overwhelm our capacity for kindness and compassion. Especially when patients experience dental fear and anxiety, bedside manners can make all the difference.
There are several small ways that you can enhance your bedside manner. Here are a few of them:
Focus on making a good first impression.
Take time to sit down and listen to your patient’s concerns.
Pay attention to your patient’s body language.
Value your patient’s time.
Always validate their concerns.
#2 Strengthen communication for better patient understanding.
Dentists and their teams are experts in their field. They know the right solutions to even the most pernicious problems. But this expertise can become clouded when you can’t connect with your patients.
Strengthen communication to improve patient understanding by using clear and concise language that’s easy for your patients to understand. Avoid using technical jargon and instead explain dental procedures and conditions in simple terms. You can also use visual aids such as diagrams or models to help patients better understand their oral health.
Of course, communication is a two-way street. Active listening allows you to understand and respond to your patients’ concerns best. Simply listening to patients can improve patient understanding and reduce fear and anxiety.
#3 Utilize digital tools for improved visualization and comfort.
The latest dental technology, including 3D scans and digital impressions, can greatly improve procedure visualization and patient comfort.
For example, 3D scans allow patients to participate in the treatment process. With real-time 3D dental CT scans, you can show your patients on-site results, reviewing their oral health with visuals that elevate understanding and patient buy-in.
Similarly, digital impressions improve patient comfort by being faster and more efficient than traditional imprints. With digital dental impressions, you can forgo the process of mixing mold materials, inserting the mold, and waiting for it to harden.
Instead, you simply move the scanning device around the patient’s mouth, capturing images in real-time. This process usually takes only a few minutes, making it much faster and significantly more comfortable for your patient.
#4 Increase patient engagement through prompt communication and personalized care.
The quality and frequency of communication between the dental practice and its patients significantly impacts a patient’s trust and engagement.
Digital tools can facilitate this process, enabling faster and more efficient communication. For instance, automated appointment reminders, status updates, or informative emails about procedures can reduce patients' wait time and uncertainty, easing their anxiety.
A dedicated patient portal could allow patients to access their records, understand their treatment progression, and communicate their queries or concerns directly with your office.
These strategies make patients feel valued and more in control, which can reduce fear and anxiety about their next dentist visit.
Meeting Patients Where They Are, Together
Overcoming dental fear and anxiety is a multifaceted challenge that requires the collective effort of dental professionals. From improving bedside manner to strengthening communication, utilizing advanced digital tools, and increasing patient engagement, each step is pivotal in transforming the dental visit experience.
The journey towards improving patient experience and reducing dental fear doesn't stop here.
Join us in transforming dental care. Follow our blog to stay at the forefront of dentistry advancements, and let's work together to redefine dental care by continually improving our patients’ experiences and oral health outcomes.