OZARK, MISSOURI – Do you ever get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist? You might be worrying unnecessarily. With dentistry’s many advances, the diagnosis and treatment for dental problems gets more sophisticated and comfortable all the time.

People with dental anxiety and phobia are not alone. Many people experience these feelings and experience some level of fear about going to the dentist, but the caring professionals at Barnett-Davis Dental Group are changing that.

Drs. Marc and Kelly Barnett and Tracy Davis and their highly trained team help patients from all over Southwest Missouri deal with and overcome their dental anxiety every day. We understand that many patients are apprehensive or even frightened of coming to the dentist so we take time to listen, explain procedures and make a plan with them to cope with their fears.

Many people are terrified of the loss of control they experience in the dental chair. Maybe they have had a past experience where a dentist proceeded to do things and they did not stop, in spite of the patient being in distress. Or the patient might have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused in the past, and being in the dental chair reminds them of these experiences. Or perhaps they simply have a general preference for being in control of situations. Whatever the reason, if you are that patient who fears a dental visit or loss of control, the dental team at Barnett-Davis Dental is the one for you!

“We don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed by their dental anxiety or avoid seeing us. Avoiding dental care runs the risk of dental problems getting worse or causing health problems,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett. “We work with many patients every day that have dental fears, and we can help them overcome those feelings and learn coping mechanisms. Many times, even our most phobic patients learn to actually enjoy coming to the dentist!”

Patients with dental anxiety may experience a sense of uneasiness about their appointments and have exaggerated or unfounded worries and fears. While others who have dental phobia experience lack of control or intense fear and dread, leaving that person feeling terrified or panic stricken, explains Dr. Davis. The  simplestepsdental.com is helpful in understanding and dealing with dental fears.

“The most important advice in dealing with a dental phobia is to let us know that you are apprehensive or scared when you come to the dentist,” adds Dr. Marc Barnett. “The good news is that we are here, and we really do care about you and your feelings. We have decades of experience in helping phobic patients just like you, and we can teach you great coping skills.”

The actual facility of Barnett-Davis Dental is designed to be as relaxing as possible. From the soothing sounds of a waterfall as you enter the office to the aroma of scented candles in the waiting room, you will know that your comfort is our primary concern. Each treatment area is equipped with comfortable chairs, cozy blankets if you are chilly, soft pillows on the headrest, nitrous oxide relaxing air and satellite-fed stereo headphones.

To diminish anxious feelings, we give our patients the following advice:

• Tell the Drs. Barnett and Davis about any fearful, tense or anxious feelings, so we can tailor your treatment and pace to suit your special needs.
• If you are interested, Drs. Barnett and Davis will discuss the use of nitrous oxide and relaxing prescription medications to take before your appointment.
• Remember that you are in control. We emphasize that our patients are always in control of the appointment, and we will stop the procedure immediately every time the patient asks us to do so. We will arrange a signal in advance for you to indicate to us any discomfort you might be experiencing or the need for a break.
• Remember to schedule your appointments when you are the least likely to be rushed or physically strained.
• Get the recommended amount of sleep the night before. Eat light meals the day of and wear loose, comfortable clothes.
• Visualize something soothing during the visit.
• Remember…we really do care and want your visits with us to be pleasant and comfortable.

Here are some other great ideas from the American Dental Association that are a good starting point for relaxing before and during dental treatment:

“We do not want you to put off getting routine dental care or restorative procedures any longer,” say the Ozark family dentistry practitioner. “Please call the office today, and let us get started on finding a solution to your dental anxieties.”

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