How many times have you postponed your dental visit because you are afraid of needles, or getting poked and pricked? Are you still having nightmares or have a vivid image of the drill, or the big “bad” childhood dentist that pulled your tooth? Do you have unmet dental needs because you won’t set a foot in the dentist office even when your life is depending on it? You are not alone, about 30 to 40 million people in the United States fear the dentist, and would do anything to avoid seeing them. In fact, this fear or anxiety is called dental phobia and it is known of people fainting while waiting to be seen or at the sight of the needle or the drill.
Unfortunately, those with dental phobia suffer from poorer dental health and are at higher risk to develop general health complications from unattended dental problems. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be like this anymore. People with dental phobia have a chance to get the dental treatment needed in a comfortable setting. It is called – Hospital Dentistry.
In a hospital setting a patient can be deeply sedated or completely asleep and receive the care they have postponed for so long. Certainly, there are protocols and steps to be taken before a patient goes under deep sedation or general anesthesia. A complete physical assessment and clearance from the Primary Physician, blood work, and a complete dental assessment are important to prevent any unnecessary risk and problems during or after the procedure. While Hospital Dentistry could present certain risks associated with anesthesia (like any other surgery), these are minimal and the benefits are definitively greater. A patient can receive complete or almost complete care in one single, outpatient visit to the Operating Room.
This option is also available for Special Care patients with neurological problems such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, or Mental Disabilities where the dental chair pose a difficulty to render the necessary care.
If you or a loved one are in need of these services, you are in LUCK! Our office caters to those who prefer a Hospital setting to receive the dental care they have postponed for so long. We have been working with this kind of patient for near a decade with excellent results. What do you think, gives us a chance to provide you with comfortable dental care and take care of those teeth once and for all.
