3 Ways That a Compassionate Dentist Can Care for Even the Most Anxious Patients

The caring dentists at West Hills Smiles dentistry can help children and adults overcome even the most severe anxiety about going to the dentist.

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West Hills Smiles

Dec 31, 2014, 01:34 ET

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to WebMD, anywhere from 5 to 8 percent of Americans don't go to the dentist strictly because of fear. Considering how important constant dental check-ups can be to your dental and overall health, this is an unfortunate number. Yet, many people have legitimate concerns with going to the dentist, and the experienced dentists at West Hills Smiles know that many of these concerns are different. West Hills Smiles practices a variety of comforting techniques for a multitude of different patient needs, making them the dentist Woodland Hills residents suffering from anxiety trust when they need urgent or bi-annual dental care. Here are three different categories of patient anxiety, and what the dentists at West Hills Smiles can do to overcome them.

Juvenile Anxiety – Many children are scared of the dentist simply because of a fear of the unknown. Children often feel uncomfortable around people who they perceive to be strangers, especially when they have to leave their parents behind in the waiting room. Some kids feel like the experience will bring with it pain and discomfort, either because of a past experience, or because of cultural perceptions that they've picked up from their parents or the media. To alleviate these fears, the dentists at West Hills Smiles make sure that they provide a fun and familiar environment so that kids feel comforted. In addition to being able to do no-shot dental fillings, they have a play area and aquarium in the lobby and cartoons above the dental chair. Like many pediatric dentists, they also give small children a prize from their treasure chest when they leave, so a trip to the dentist becomes a rewarding experience, rather than a burden.
Mild Adult Anxiety – Some adults have an aversion to the dentist because they have legitimate concerns about comfort levels. Many dental offices are overly cold and clinical, making patients feel more like a number than a person. At West Hills Smiles' Calabasas dentist office there are TVs, complimentary WiFi in the waiting area, and pillows and blankets provided for any patient who wants them on the dental chair. In addition, the dentists do everything they can to address patient concerns while making sure there are no surprises during the course of the exam.
Severe Adult Anxiety – For those who have severe anxiety, often caused by an unfortunate past memory at a sub-par dentist's office, West Hills Smiles offers sedation dentistry. With sedation dentistry the patient takes a pill a short time before the appointment, putting them into a "twilight sleep" that makes them relaxed to the point where they often won't remember the appointment afterwards.

Whatever degree of anxiety that you or a loved one may suffer from, there is always an option to make sure you can get the emergency dental care you need or the smile makeover you've always wanted. For more information on the great work done at West Hills Smiles, call (818) 346-4303, or visit www.westhillssmiles.com.

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SOURCE West Hills Smiles