Dental phobia is simply defined as “a fear of dentistry.”
To avoid being seen by a dentist, patients with dental phobia will tolerate gum infections, fractured teeth, decayed teeth and loose teeth. It has been estimated that between 9% and 15% of Americans evade the dentist because of anxiety and fear.
Patients needlessly suffer
In some cases, the fear is so great that it leaves patients panic stricken and terrified. A significant problem, but less extreme is dental anxiety. Virtually all patients have some level of dental anxiety. To allay their dental fears and allow the dentist to treat these patients, there are several adjunctive measures that can be taken to calm the patient, thus allowing treatment of gum infections, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, decayed teeth and loose teeth.
Oral surgeons can prescribe medications
More over, to calm the patient’s fears, oral surgeons can prescribe oral medications to be taken before coming to the office. Once at the office, it is common practice for Dr. Slavin to provide IV sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or outpatient hospital care with general anesthesia to ensure the patient is comfortable and to decrease their fear and anxiety.
We provide patients with the tender loving care
Dr. Slavin, at the Good Samaritan Dental Implant Institute has extensive training to provide his patients with the tender loving care necessary for their dental implant and dental restorative experience to be as stress free as possible. Dr. Slavin has an expert staff who are specially trained to help patients with dental phobia and dental anxiety.
All options available will be presented to you
Remember, from your initial phone call to the office, you can rest assured that all options available to soothe your anxiety will be presented. We will often use a prescription for sedatives prior to your first office appointment. We will then use laughing gas to start the IV sedation.
Patients often give Dr. Slavin and his office staff accolades for their outstanding care in resolving their Dental Phobia. This is just one of the many reasons Dr. Slavin’s office is different from the others. We practice Personalized Dental Implant Care!