Get Over Your Fear of Dentists
Get Over Your Fear of Dentists
January 11, 2008
By Tammy Marashlian
Signal Staff Writer
A local dentist offers hope to those with 'dentophoba.'
Visiting the dentist - for some, it's routine. But for others, the thought of a someone using pointy tools to poke around in the mouth can create anxiety and panic.
While some fears may be minor and easy to treat, some patients find themselves unable to set foot in a dentist's office because of previous bad experiences. That's "dentophobia."
But besides dentophobia, there are those who will have a gag reflex when an instrument is inserted into the mouth, preventing a dentist from using the necessary equipment to do a procedure - according to Dr. David Wyndhamsmith, M.D., D.D.S. of Valencia Dental Care.
Another example is elderly patients who have tremors or young kids that just lack the patience to have lengthy procedures done.
But a trip to the dentist doesn't have to be an uneasy situation, because patients have options.
By using his background as a board certified and specially trained anesthesiologist, and experience as a dentist, Wyndhamsmith is now helping patients of all ages confront their dentist anxiety.
Recently, the dentist launched "The Center for Dentophobia" within his dental practice, which has been on Valencia Boulevard since 1994. He also works in Pasadena and at a Burbank area hospital.
While there is a variety of degrees of dentophobia, Wyndhamsmith deals with the most extreme cases by administering intravenous sedation for patients looking to have their major work done all at the same time.
His idea for using intravenous sedation is simple.
In most cases, people with a dental fear will hold out on treatment until the pain and problems become unbearable, Wyndhamsmith explained.
After being brought in, often times by a loved one, as Wyndhamsmith pointed out, the person's dental situation goes far beyond treatment that one session can cover. But since the phobic person does not feel comfortable submitting to multiple sessions of treatment, Wyndhamsmith can condense a series of lengthy sessions into one procedure, thanks to intravenous sedation and a network of around 10 dentists with different specialties.
"It's a commitment in time - and financially," he said, as it reduces the amount of visits and often saves money, as well.
Patients who confront dentophobia now will also see a payoff in the future as it can decrease the amount of necessary dental work years down the line.
While treatments vary depending on the needs of the patient, Wyndhamsmith will not let a procedure go past three hours, mainly because of the bathroom needs that arise with an intravenous sedation.
Sedated patients breath on their own and Wyndhamsmith said he will adjust how much medication is being injected.
Over time, he said intravenous sedation creates progress in his patients, as they are able to have their dental needs taken care of while slowly overcoming their phobias.
"Ninety-five percent of our patients that have had intravenous sedation have never had to use it again," he said.
Because patients are able to have procedures done, Wyndhamsmith said it increases self-confidence. This gives dental patients the ability to "graduate" to regular types of anesthesia for future dental procedures.
But before any procedure can be done, Wyndhamsmith recommends people talk with their own dentists about addressing their anxiety.
He suggests people go over their fears with their dentist and talk through what happens during a procedure, as a way to feel more in control.
Dr. David Wyndhamsmith's office is located at 23838 Valencia Blvd. Suite 301 in Valencia. He can be reached by calling (661) 291-1412.
tmarashlian@the-signal.com
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