Fear factor: Dentists sink their teeth into efforts to end the dread

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Fear factor: Dentists sink their teeth into efforts to end the dread
February 6, 2008
By Allison Thompson
SheboyganPress.com


The squeal of a drill. The thought is enough to send some running as far away as possible from the dentist office.

"One of the biggest fears people have is going to the dentist," said Amy Wayte of Sheboygan, who was visiting Bullard Children's Dentistry with her 3- and 6-year-old children.

"The most common cause is the historic bad experience when someone is young, so we are trying to overcome that in the area especially with the two fine pediatric dentists," said Dr. Steve Lindstrom, past-president of and spokesperson for the Wisconsin Dental Association, referring to Just for Kids and Bullard Children's Dentistry in Sheboygan.

Dr. Timothy Kaufmann, owner of Sheboygan Smile Center, can relate to that early bad experience, but for him that resulted in changing the system that once was frightening.

"One of the reasons I am a dentist is that my parents went to a dentist I couldn't stand. My brother would run away (from the office) every time we went," Kaufmann said. "I have dental work done and I am just as nervous about it as other people÷ . There is just something about it."

To alleviate that fear, many of today's dentists go out of their way to establish positive relationships with the patient as well as offer a few "extras" to make a person feel more comfortable.

Sheboygan Smile Center incorporates several aspects to soothe a patient upon visiting, including aromatherapy and music in each room, which can be customized to whatever sounds the patient wants to hear.

Planning to build a new office in the near future, Kaufmann also hopes to add some other niceties including massage chairs.

"There are so many amenities to make it easier for patients. Eventually we will make a great experience for people," continued Kaufmann, who bought the practice just two and a half years ago.

Lindstrom's office, which he shares with Dr. Hank Rossi in Howards Grove, also burns candles to lessen the smell of antiseptic.

While some dentist offices in New York City and Los Angeles are launching spa dentist offices, where one can get various spa treatments while getting their teeth cleaned, Lindstrom believes that it's the doctor-patient relationship that makes the difference.

"The best way to overcome that (fear) is a strong sense of trust in the relationship," said Lindstrom. "A strong dentist/patient relationship is the best way, rather than spa dentistry or anything else. It doesn't matter what that spa treatment is if you don't have that trust."

Bridgitt Zielke of Kohler agrees that a level of confidence in the dental team is important.

"Friendly considerate service and the talents of the dentist and his/her staff make the visit," Zielke said.

To help build that bond, Kaufmann and his staff work with each patient to customize a plan to get the work done with the most amount of comfort.

"We take our time with the patient, we take breaks. We plan longer appointments with them. Anything we can do to help out," said Kaufmann. "We try to help out the patient as much as we can."

Sherri Testwuide's four children used to fear the dentist, but since visiting Dr. Bullard's office, going to the dentist has become a lot easier.

"Now they love it÷ . It's very inviting for the kids. I like how they make them comfortable with the movies and distractions," said Testwuide referring to the in-ceiling flat-screen televisions playing a favorite child-friendly movie.

Zielke agrees. "The fun and kid-friendly design of Dr. Bullard's office is an important aspect of the dentist visit for my children. It helps both my children feel comfortable and welcome in the space and eases any anxiety that they may have connected with the dentist visit."

Some of the tricks that Bullard uses include jelly numbing agents in different flavors, scented gloves worn by hygienists and digital X-rays.

"It's the lowest radiation, so low you don't need an X-ray bib, though we use one," said Shannon Bullard, Bullard Children's Dentistry office manager. "The dental assistant can hold the hand of the child and not leave the room. It makes the process a lot more comfortable."

Several adult dentist offices in town have also begun using digital X-rays and other technologies to make a visit to the dentist less painful.

Sheboygan Smile Center invested $100,000 in a CEREC machine. The high-ticket item is designed to make crowns for the teeth in just two hours, as opposed to the two-week, three-dental-visit norm.

That means less drilling, fewer injections and less time for the patient.

"It's a computerized system that does it right here within two hours and you don't have to come back ÷ or wear a temporary crown that could fall out," said Kaufmann.

Reducing the chills one gets from the high-pitched sound of a drill are new, electric drills that are quieter and faster, in addition to headphones or music that is played individually in the room.

"Smell and sound," said Lindstrom. Those are the two components that can really frighten a patient, so changing the sound and smell of an office can make a difference.

"Whether as an adult or a kid you want to feel comfortable when you are having your teeth done," said Wayte.