For Dr. Hiren Bhatt of Alton Dental in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, understanding a patient's fear when he or she walks into the dental practice is key. Taking the time to understand their fear is one of the smartest things a dentist can do, not only to alleviate any fear of pain but also to gain their trust, Dr. Bhatt said.
As the end of the year draws closer and more patients may be thinking about using their insurance benefits, some may procrastinate treatment because of a fear of pain. With that in mind, we asked Dr. Bhatt how he handles a fearful dental patient. Here's what he had to say:
Dr. Hiren Bhatt
"The key to getting past a fearful patient is taking some time to talk to them first. A 10-minute conversation can save half an hour of wasted time trying to complete an exam.
"It's important to identify the trigger. It could be being alone with the dentist, a fear of pain, the sounds, or the equipment.
"Once you've identified the trigger, you can mitigate it. You can introduce them to the hygienist and have the hygienist talk to them during the procedure. They can wear sunglasses if the light bothers them or focus on watching TV instead of watching the instruments. You can give them earbuds to listen to music so they don't hear the sounds.
"One of the most important aspects to convey to the patient is that they are in control. They can tell you if they experience pain, and you will pause to address it. You can give them a safe word to use if they hit high anxiety during the procedure.
"I always explain the procedure to them beforehand and then tell them step-by-step what I'm doing, what they will hear, and what they will feel.
"This prior talk is crucial to gain their trust. Those who remain high anxiety are recommended to have sedation therapy. It is the only option for some."
Dr. Hiren Bhatt is a dentist at Alton Dental in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujrati.
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