THE CASE OF THE NERVOUS PATIENT

                When you see the note stuck to the front of the refrigerator reminding you of your dental appointment, do you conjure up scenes of pure horror? Do you remember your mother prying your mouth open to take a look? Then she sees something that looks like a black hole and thanks God that it didn’t move. So she promptly drags you off to the nearest dentist whose name is Dr. Payne who is quite proud of his name.

                Your mother is not around now to force you into the dental chair. Now we must make those dental appointments ourselves and boy is it hard. As you dial the first digit of the phone number, sweat pops out on your brow right at the hairline. As you continue, symptoms of a full fledge nervous breakdown ensue. Stomach cramps, blurred vision, rubbery legs and memory loss are the typical symptoms. The first thing we forget is the way to the dental office.

                As you finish dialing the number and the receptionist answers the call, you faint, falling into an unconscious heap of flesh on the floor.

                Do you think that you are the only one that is nervous about going to the dentist? Let me assure you that you are not. I have found that this is the number one reason that people don’t seek adequate dental care. I believe that fear of the dentist is the main reason for tooth loss. That is a shame. I hope that I can help today.

                Listen up! Dentistry has advanced!

                We have a wide selection of wonderful anesthetic solutions that are not toxic at all and produce a profound numbness. We have laughing gas available at most all dental offices that work great to relieve anxiety.

                There are very effective and very safe muscle relaxants in pill form that you can take before the dental appointment to make your visit easier. There is a wide selection of safe and effective sedatives that provide comfort for the nervousness.

                These medications are wonderful but the best advance that dentistry has made for the nervous patient is the recognition of the condition and the willingness to provide a kind, caring atmosphere in the office.

                Virtually every dental continuing education course includes advances in relieving anxiety of the dental visit. Dental auxiliaries are trained to be considerate and kind to each patient. Normally a kind, loving personality is a prerequisite for consideration as a dental auxiliary trainee.

                There are many of you that suffer from various dental diseases. Many of you are in pain. You also suffer from another health disorder, and that is dental anxiety. Please don’t neglect your dental health because of a condition for which there are safe and effective treatments. Advanced dental disease is difficult and expensive to treat. Don’t be a victim of dental anxiety. Take the easier more comfortable way. Early detection and treatment is so much better.  Call your dentist today for an appointment and be sure to tell him of your anxiety so that he can treat that also.

Very comfortably Yours,

Larry W. Cox DMD