We hear how one dentist is addressing needle phobia and anxious patients by addressing the so-called fear avoidance cycle.
When patients open up about their experiences and concerns about dental anxiety, one recurring issue is the fear of needles.
To shed light on this matter, Elizabeth Konneker, a research coordinator for dental anxiety studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, shared her insights. She noted that patients often recount past painful experiences or express scepticism about whether the anaesthesia will adequately alleviate their discomfort during their dental visits.
To address this pervasive issue, Konneker and her team have explored the potential benefits of cognitive behavioural interventions presented through informative videos immediately before dental appointments.
Psychologist Eugene Dunne, an assistant professor in the Department of Oral Health Sciences at the Kornberg School of Dentistry, is also pivotal in advancing the university’s efforts to confront dental anxiety and improve the overall dental experience for patients.
He suggests: ‘When patients delay or skip appointments because of anxiety, it creates a cascading effect. We think about that in terms of the fear avoidance cycle related to dental anxiety – that pressure and that fear can lead to delay or avoidance in dental care.
‘As a result, when you ultimately seek dental care, it might be emergency care, and more invasive treatment will be needed. Thus, they experience more pain and more issues when they’re at the dentist. So that cycle continues because it’s being reinforced.’
An anxiety-free treatment experience
Dr Nabeel Muhairez is the principal dentist of Hampsteads Dental, a practice in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. He aims to break this so-called fear avoidance cycle by ensuring patients have a comfortable and anxiety-free treatment experience.
Nabeel opened Hampstead’s Dental in 1999 because he wanted to control how dental services were offered and the environment in which they were provided.
He recognised the importance of customer service and the need for a patient-centred practice where people felt valued and cared for. Both were paramount in building his business.
‘We are not in the dental business. We are in the people business and just happen to do teeth. As a dental practice, we cannot get away from doing dentistry.
‘Still, we can get away from many of the things with which patients have negative associations – the needle, the smell, the austere environment, etc. At Hampsteads, we have sought ways to control or eliminate as many of those things as possible.’
Staff training
How the team communicates makes a tangible difference for Nabeel. His staff are trained to deal with nervous patients, offering practical assistance to help them overcome their anxieties.
Indeed, ensuring this team approach to patient care has raised the bar, making his practice a haven for nervous patients. For him, this is key to a positive dental experience.
‘It’s all about the team,’ he says. ‘Without great people around me, I can try my best, but I cannot deliver the best patient experience alone. The supportive and empathetic staff ensures patients feel comfortable and heard. Taking time with each patient and prioritising effective communication are vital steps in addressing dental anxiety and helping patients relax in the dental chair.’
Recognising the importance of empathetic communication, their extensive experience has shown that patients feel significantly more at ease when they are well-informed about their treatment process.
They encourage questions and actively seek to address concerns, understanding that no inquiry is deemed ‘silly’. They wholeheartedly invite patients to seek clarification on any aspect of their care.
These are issues that can prevent many people from seeking the dental care they need, which is why the Hampsteads Dental team, under Nabeel’s stewardship, addresses them head-on.
Needle phobia
Inevitably, a fear of needles poses a significant challenge.
Nabeel says: ‘For some patients, the mere sight of a dental syringe can trigger intense anxiety and discomfort. Fear of the pain associated with dental injections is a common issue, and so is the prospect that they may not be numb enough to receive treatment.
‘As dental professionals, we must stay up to speed with new technology to deliver our patients the best and most comfortable care possible – including how we provide anaesthesia. The traditional scary syringe still in everyday use today was originally used for veterinary injections in the 1800s, so we utilise computer technology to deliver a 21st-century experience.
The team used to provide conscious sedation for patients. Still, 99% of anxious patients are treated at Hampsteads using The Wand from Dental Sky to administer local anaesthetic in a ‘comfortable and non-threatening way’.
The Wand is a game-changer in the world of dentistry. It is a small, lightweight handpiece that resembles a pen and is equipped with computer-controlled technology to deliver local anaesthetic comfortably and non-threateningly.
Nabeel explains: ‘This revolutionary system eliminates the “bee sting” effect – that uncomfortable sensation patients often fear. One of the most significant benefits is minimising unnecessary tongue, cheek and face numbness.’
‘Painless anaesthesia for all routine dental procedures’
The Wand is not limited to specific treatments either.
Nabeel says: ‘It provides painless anaesthesia for all routine dental procedures, including root canals, crowns, and fillings. It ensures a more comfortable patient experience and reduces anxiety associated with injections. Patients experience a quicker onset of numbness and a faster recovery of sensation after the treatment.
‘The whole process is different to a traditional injection so that all the fear and tension in anticipation of an uncomfortable jab is allayed; this helps foster a build-up of trust with the patient and means they leave relieved and smiling at the end of treatment. Talking about the experience with friends, family, or colleagues often leads to a new enquiry and an explicit reference of “You will be using The Wand, won’t you?”‘
The Wand has become integral to how Hampsteads Dental addresses patients’ fears and anxieties about dental treatment, which fosters trust and a positive connection between them. And if this means valuable word-of-mouth recommendations to boost numbers, then all the better.
For further information about The Wand, visit dentalsky.com/wand_dental.
