Care for nervous patients

Care for nervous patients means time and explanation for anyone who finds a dental visit difficult, from mild unease to a more significant fear. It suits a patient who has avoided the dentist because of anxiety, and anyone who simply prefers to know what is happening at each step. Dr Annabel Davies provides this care at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre.

Feeling nervous is common

Many people feel some anxiety about a dental appointment, ranging from mild unease to a fear strong enough to put off booking at all, and this is a common and well recognised experience, not something unusual. Avoiding an appointment because of this can let a small problem grow into a bigger one, so telling the practice in advance that a visit feels difficult, and why, allows it to be planned around that, rather than a patient having to manage it alone once they arrive.

How she helps a nervous patient

She aims to give each appointment the time it needs, and a nervous patient can set the pace. Patients hear what she has found, what the choices are, and what each involves, so there are no unexplained steps along the way. Most people manage treatment well with the ordinary local anaesthetic used to numb a tooth before it is worked on, and knowing what to expect beforehand is often what helps most.

What can help during an appointment

Simple, practical steps can make a difference for many people. Explaining each step before it happens, so there are no surprises, and agreeing a signal, such as raising a hand, to pause at any point, are both approaches used widely in dentistry to help an anxious patient feel more in control. Bringing headphones for music, or using a breathing technique to stay calm, can also help some people during an appointment. For a smaller number of patients whose anxiety is more significant, additional methods beyond the ordinary local anaesthetic are sometimes used in dentistry generally.

Starting slowly

For someone who has avoided the dentist for a long time, a routine check-up can be a reasonable first step, since it is generally a short examination rather than treatment. This gives a chance to talk through any concerns and agree how future appointments should be paced, before any decision is needed about further treatment.

Getting in touch

It is worth mentioning any anxiety about dental visits when booking, so the appointment can be planned accordingly. Fees are discussed with reception. The panel on this page shows how to get in touch.