Therapy to Help Panicked Dental Patients
It is well known that fear of dentists is one of the most common phobias for people all over the world but for some it is so debilitating that they physically can’t compel themselves to make the trip to the dentist even if their need for treatment is great.
According to a report in Worcester News, NHS bosses in Worcestershire are taking steps to help those people who find visiting the dentist too traumatic back into the dentist chair and ensuring that they get the treatment that they require. In order to help people overcome their fears, NHS bosses in Worcestershire are developing improved dental anxiety management services, designed with the intention of helping patients to conquer their fears.
Worcestershire in Fear
The proportion of the population of Worcestershire said to have a dental phobia is 12 per cent (around 67,000 people) according to the report in Worcester News. This is clearly a large percentage and the NHS bosses in the county are planning to teach cognitive behavioural therapy to dental nurses to help them talk to patients in such a way as to put them at ease and make them less afraid of dentists and dental practices in general.
The level of phobia amongst some patients is quite severe and they are genuinely petrified of the prospect of visiting the dentist. Speaking to Worcester News, Nigel Crew, dental commissioning manager at NHS Worcestershire, states, “Most patients experience some anxiety when going to the dentist, and this is perfectly normal.” It is clear that phobia of dentists is far from unusual and the Worcestershire NHS is endeavouring to ensure that by taking about their fears, patients can ultimately overcome them and get the treatment required.