For anxious patients | Gentle care for you who fear dental treatment
Fear of dental treatment is extremely common – according to studies, as many as one in three Finns experience at least some degree of dental anxiety. You are not alone. From the very beginning, Dent Å has been built as a place where those who feel nervous or afraid of dental care are welcomed with warmth, understanding and without rush. With us, your fear will never be belittled, nor will you be judged – we will help you achieve a healthy mouth in the way that suits you best.
Why does dental treatment feel scary?
Fear of dental treatment is a natural reaction, and there is no reason to feel ashamed of it. The fear can stem from many different causes: an unpleasant experience in childhood, painful treatment, fear of losing control, or simply the fact that the mouth is a sensitive area where being touched can trigger strong emotions. Sometimes the fear has developed through stories from loved ones or through media, even without any personal experience.
The fear can range from mild nervousness before an appointment to being so overwhelming that it prevents you from seeking treatment altogether. In both cases, help is available. The worst thing is to be left alone with your fear, as untreated teeth lead to problems piling up – and a growing need for treatment can further increase the fear. This vicious cycle can be broken.
Why choose Dent Å for the treatment of anxious patients?
Dent Å was designed from the very beginning with people who fear dental treatment in mind. Our clinic has been made cosy and calm – when you step in, at first glance you might not even guess you are at a dental clinic. A warm atmosphere, soft materials and the scent of coffee help you relax before you even enter the treatment room.
Our staff are trained to meet anxious patients with particular sensitivity. Our customer service team knows to take your fear into account already at the time of booking, and our dentists take the time to build trust before beginning any procedure. We always tell you in advance what we are going to do, proceed at your pace and agree on a signal that you can use to stop the treatment at any time.
In our Google reviews, anxious patients repeatedly highlight the calm approach, the empathetic manner and the fact that their fear was never belittled. This is no coincidence – it is at the core of what we do.
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How do we treat anxious patients?
Tell us about your fear – it is the first step
The most important thing is to tell us about your fear. You can mention it already when booking your appointment, or at the latest when you arrive at the clinic. Simply talking about it eases the mind for many, and it helps us prepare better for your visit. You do not need to explain or justify the reasons for your fear – it is enough that you let us know.
Unhurried care that listens
Enough time is reserved for your appointment so that nothing feels rushed. The dentist will explain each step in advance and make sure you feel safe. You can take breaks whenever you need to. Together, we agree on a signal (for example, raising your hand) that you can use to stop the treatment immediately.
Effective pain relief
We use modern anaesthetic methods that make treatment virtually painless. Before the injection itself, we can apply a topical numbing gel, so the injection feels at most like a gentle pressure. During treatment, you can also listen to your own music or watch a television mounted on the ceiling. For many, this is a surprisingly effective way to relax and take their mind off the treatment.
Treatment step by step – not everything at once
Extensive treatments do not need to be done all at once. We divide your treatment so that each visit is of a manageable length. We start with the easiest procedure and progress step by step. This way, you gain positive experiences that reduce the fear of your next visit.
Pre-medication for anxiety
If your anxiety is severe, the dentist can prescribe a calming pre-medication to be taken before your appointment. The pre-medication helps you relax and significantly reduces anxiety. When using pre-medication, you must not eat for 4 hours or drink for 2 hours beforehand, and you will need someone to accompany you home from the clinic. We often use fast-acting midazolam as the pre-medication.
Treatment under general anaesthesia – when fear stands in the way
Sometimes the fear is so overwhelming that dental treatment cannot be carried out while awake, even with pre-medication. In such cases, treatment can be performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, an anaesthetist and an anaesthetic nurse are responsible for the sedation throughout, while the dentist focuses on the dental care. Under anaesthesia, you feel neither pain nor fear, and even more extensive treatment plans can be completed in a single session.
Before treatment under general anaesthesia, an oral examination must be carried out and the necessary X-rays taken so that an individual treatment plan can be drawn up for you. When the decision is made to proceed with anaesthesia, an anaesthetist is also consulted to assess your suitability for general anaesthesia. If there are no obstacles, the treatment can proceed as planned. After the anaesthesia, you will rest under supervision until you are ready to go home with a companion. Our goal is that after the treatment under anaesthesia, your fear will decrease and future check-ups and treatments can be carried out without anaesthesia.
