Fear of the dentist? Our dentist will be happy to help you

Afraid of the dentist And do you prefer to postpone a dental visit? You are certainly not the only one. Many people experience dental anxiety – It is estimated that a quarter of the Dutch have fear of the dentist to a greater or lesser degree, and some 800,000 people avoid the dentist altogether because of extreme fear (dental phobia). Heeren Dental Practice understands this fear like no other. It is important to us that you feel comfortable during your visit. In this landing page, we explain where that fear can come from, how our dentist in Den Dolder treats you with patience and understanding, and what steps you can take to go to the dentist with peace of mind again.

Causes of dental anxiety: why are you afraid of the dentist?

Fear of the dentist often arises from one or more negative experiences or ideas. The Causes of dental anxiety can vary from person to person, but common reasons include:

• Previous painful experiences: maybe you have ever had a treatment that hurt a lot or went wrong. A traumatic experience – for example, a difficult extraction, complications or inadequate anesthesia – can trigger lasting anxiety. Sounds such as the fierce hum of the drill or the clinical smell of the practice since then can trigger immediate tension.

• Learned fear: anxiety can develop through stories of others. If you have heard from a young age how scary the dentist would be – perhaps from a parent or acquaintance with anxiety – you may have unconsciously adopted this fear. Movies and media also sometimes paint dental visits as frightening, which can be influential.

• Shame or loss of control: some people are less afraid of pain but more anxious about their teeth or about the situation. Shame for bad teeth or feeling helpless lying back in the chair with an open mouth can create tension. The idea of having no control during treatment – not being able to talk or pause – then makes one anxious.

• Dental phobia: In extreme cases, there can be a real phobia. This goes beyond healthy nervousness; you panic at the idea of the dentist. Such a dental phobia may be part of a broader anxiety disorder. In this case, professional psychological help in addition to dental counseling is sometimes necessary to break the vicious cycle.

Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these points? Important to know: you are not alone and something can be done about it. No matter how long you haven’t been or how bad your anxiety is, at Heeren Dental Practice we understand your situation and will work together to find a solution.

Our approach to anxious patients: patience, understanding and clear explanations

At Heeren dental practice we take a special approach to patients with anxiety. Our dentists act as ‘fear dentist’: that is, we take extra time and measures to reassure you. What can you expect from us?

• Free conversation: the first step is often just getting acquainted. Feel free to tell our team – at the front desk or with the dentist himself – that you are anxious. We will then schedule extra time for a intake without treating directly if you prefer. During such a conversation, we will listen to your story: Where does your fear come from? What do you expect and what exactly are you afraid of? By identifying this, we can tailor our treatment to your needs.

• Clear communication: uncertainty fuels fearThat’s why our dentists step by step what is going to happen. There will be no surprises for you. You may watch in a mirror during the treatment if you wish, or we will explain while we are doing it – whichever you prefer. We also discuss together in advance a stop sign: for example, raise your hand to agree on immediate pausing. This way you keep control and know that we will stop immediately if it becomes too much for you.

• More time and personal attention: a patient with anxiety benefits from rest. Our dentist ensures that you never feel like you have to rush. We take plenty of time, may schedule several short appointments instead of one long one, and pause when you need it. Between each procedure, we check to make sure you feel okay feels. This patience and personal pace significantly reduce stress.

• Expert and painless treatment: Naturally, we always strive for a painless treatment. In anxious patients, we are extra vigilant about this. You will be given anesthesia on time and we test to make sure the anesthesia is working properly before we do anything. Do you have bad memories of an anesthetic injection? Please report it – for example, we can apply a numbing gel to the gums beforehand so that you hardly feel the prick. Our dentist has extensive experience treating anxious patients and will not do anything as long as you feel pain. Your comfort comes first.

• Reassuring environment: our team is known for being friendly and patient. We understand how exciting it is for you; nothing is “weird” to say or ask. Would you like to take a break, sit up or sip water? It’s all possible. Some patients like to listen to music through earplugs during the checkup – that too is possible by arrangement. It’s all about your convenience and confidence.

With this approach, we build your confidence little by little. Many of our patients find after a few visits that their anxiety subsides – simply because they have experienced that a dental appointment with us is does not have to hurt and is respectful.

Pain management and sedation: what options are available?

For people with fear of the dentist the barrier to getting into the chair can still be high, even with all the patience and explanation. Therefore, at Heeren Dental Practice, we look for additional ways to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Extended anesthesia: By default, we provide good local anesthesia so that treatments are painless. Should you be very anxious about the prick, we can apply an extra long-acting anesthetic.

Nitrous oxide (treat under sedation): In specific cases, treatment under light sedation is possible. Laughter gas sedation – a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a cap – can help you relax during treatment. You remain conscious, but feel calmer and less anxious. Heeren Dental Practice does not offer lachgassedation standard; we are happy to discuss whether this is appropriate in your situation and, if necessary, refer you to a clinic that specializes in it.

General anesthesia: For the most extreme dental phobia there is still the option of being treated under full anesthesia, usually at a specialized center or hospital. This is usually not necessary and we only bring it up when all other options are not sufficient. Our goal is to get you so comfortable with our fear dentist approach that anesthesia proves unnecessary. We often see that patients who have been treated once under light sedation or anesthesia have gained enough confidence to try it the next time without – with only local anesthesia and our guidance. Should anesthesia still be the only route you can handle, we will of course help you with a referral to a trusted anesthesia dentist (at a center for special dentistry).

In short, in terms of pain management, we can all registers open: from a little extra anesthesia to the possible assistance of sedation. Whatever method is required, our goal is for you to have with minimal stress get through your treatment. We choose the approach in consultation with you so that you remain in control of what happens.

Tips to reduce your dental anxiety

In addition to the support we offer you at the practice, there are a number of things you can do yourself to overcome your dental anxiety step by step. Some practical tips:

• Discuss your anxiety: it sounds simple, but the first step is openness. Don’t be ashamed – fear of the dentist is very common. If you tell us when you make your appointment or come in that you are afraid, we can take that into account. Our dentist (and his team) will be understanding and pay extra attention to your comfort.

• Take a trusted person with you: sometimes it helps not to go alone. A family member or close friend can sit next to you in the treatment room or simply support you in the waiting room. Feeling like you are not alone can go a long way.

• Try relaxation techniques: Are you feeling very tense just before or during the appointment? Take calm, deep breaths in and out. You can do relaxation exercises or mindfulness at home. During the treatment it may help to consciously relax your legs or hands (tighten and release muscles). This distracts from the feelings of anxiety.

• Distract yourself: Feel free to bring your headphones or earbuds with your favorite music or an audiobook. When you listen to pleasant music in the chair, your attention focuses on that instead of the treatment. Some people also like to lie with their eyes closed and think of something nice (for example, a vacation memory).

• Make an appointment for checkup instead of treatment: Has it been a very long time since you have been and the anxiety is deep? Then consider a get-acquainted appointment first. You can make an appointment with us solely for verification and a conversation, where we do not need to treat anything. This allows you a low-threshold introduction to the practice and the dentist, without anything scary happening that session. After the checkup, we will calmly discuss a treatment plan for follow-up appointments, all at your pace.

Remember: every small step is one. Even enter at the dentist when you actually wanted to cancel is already a victory. Reward yourself afterwards – you should be proud. By having positive experiences (for example, noticing that a checkup did not hurt and that you were treated kindly), you will find that your anxiety will slowly diminish.

Smiling carefree again: take the first step today

A healthy mouth and a radiant smile should be accessible to everyone – even if you are afraid of the dentist. Fear no longer needs to hold you back. At Heeren Dental Practice we have the expertise and the empathy to help you get rid of your dental fear step by step.

In summary, we take your fears extremely seriously. We listen to your concerns, explain everything clearlyadjust the pace of treatment and anesthesia to your needs, and stop when you say “stop.” Our friendly dentist(s) and assistants provide a relaxed atmosphere in which you can build trust. Many patients who once came in terrified now walk out with peace of mind – often amazed at how “it turned out better than expected.” We wish you the same!

Do you suffer from dental anxiety and want to finally get that checkup or treatment done without feeling panicked? We are happy to help. Don’t wait any longer to take care of your teeth. Pick up the phone and call us at 030 – 2281675 or make an appointment online via our website. Our team is here to put you at ease and keep your smile healthy.