Dental phobia and fear are very real, In fact, according to a recent piece of research by the British Dental Health Foundation, visiting the dentist makes people more nervous than snakes or spiders.
During the lead up to National Smile Month 2011, the Foundation asked over 1,000 people what makes them the most nervous from a list of common fears. The fears included:
- Heights
- Flying
- Injections
- Doctors
- Snakes
- Spiders
- Going to the hospital
- Visiting the dentist
What makes you the most nervous? Which fear do you think topped the poll results?
If you guessed going to the hospital, snakes, or spiders, you’re wrong? Are you surprised? The British Dental Health Foundation was, too.
A fear of heights topped the poll, closely followed by visiting the dentist and going to the hospital. Snakes were ranked fourth, while spiders came fifth.
Obviously, a large number of people fear going to the dentist, and, unfortunately, that means that these people aren’t getting the care they need simply because they’re afraid. Many patients with fear or anxiety visit Dr. Corbet Locke for their treatment.
Dr. Locke and his staff realize that everyone has different fears, concerns, and needs when it comes to their dental care. That’s why Dr. Locke approaches each case with an individualized treatment plan. If you suffer from severe dental phobia, a stronger form of sedation may be necessary, while slight anxiety can be treated with nitrous oxide sedation, which is the most conservative form.
With sedation dentistry, Dr. Locke has provided quality dental care for patients that may have been too nervous to even set foot inside a dental office. To find out more about sedation dentistry at Dr. Locke’s dental office in Waco, Texas, call (254) 776-4888.