Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Perhaps someone you know avoids dental appointments out of fear, and now you’re curious about dentophobia - a fear of the dentist. Anxiety and fear about dental visits are common. But for some people, it can be extreme enough that they avoid care altogether, and the result could mean significant dental health issues.
Drill sounds, the anticipation of stinging pain, and the sight of a needle are just a few reasons some hesitate when thinking about making a dental appointment. But did you know that in some situations, access to a trained dental anesthesiologist is an indispensable asset when it comes to dealing with the fear and anxiety of dental office visits?
Most people are familiar with what a medical anesthesiologist does. You may have come in contact with one if you had surgery that required you to be put to sleep. A dental anesthesiologist (DA) is a specially trained medical professional whose role is to administer and monitor anesthesia for patients during a dental procedure.
Dental anesthesiologists must go through rigorous training programs and examinations approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). It can take a total of 11 years to acquire the credentials needed to become a dental anesthesiologist — 4-year undergraduate degree, 4-year dental school, and 3-year dental anesthesiologist residency or fellowship program depending on the state they'd like to practice in. In addition, to maintain their certification, they must complete continuing education requirements year after year.
Similar to a medical anesthesiologist, dental anesthesiologists must also show competency in oral health, adult and pediatric anesthesiology, internal medicine, and other areas.
Anesthesiologists are best known for giving people “laughing gas” or an IV to fall into a deep sleep so that they don’t feel pain during a surgical procedure. However, a dental anesthesiologist does so much more than that. As specialists in dental anesthesiology, not only do they provide anesthesia during oral and maxillofacial surgery but also standard dental procedures and aren't limited to providing care in dental offices. They can provide a wide range of anesthetics while working in clinics, surgical centers, hospitals, and other medical facilities. Some dental anesthesiologists even serve as trainers in educational settings.
During a dental procedure, a dental anesthesiologist uses one or more types of anesthetics. These will vary depending on the particular individual and the dental practice being done. These methods are administered safely and effectively based on the American Dental Association (ADA) Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists.
A dental anesthesiologist works with each patient to determine the best approach. Their main focus is to make patients comfortable by minimizing pain as well as dental anxiety and fear.
There are various scenarios in which a dental anesthesiologist is needed. Most patients are traditionally given local or advanced anesthetics to avoid pain during a common dental or routine surgical procedure. In other instances, patients can be challenging to treat due to reasons that can make them uncooperative.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), anesthesia is a treatment that prevents patients from feeling pain during a procedure. Other than in cases where anxiety or a fear of the dentist is present, dental anesthesiologists are typically called upon for the following types of patients and scenarios:
Clearly, it’s impossible for a dentist to perform every function needed to treat a patient. That’s why they have dental assistants and dental hygienists. Similarly, a general dentist or surgical dentist might need help with certain patients that need extra attention to manage their pain or anxiety.
You might not recognize that you have dental anxiety without first understanding the symptoms. A child may present signs of dental anxiety that can be mistaken for illness.
There are many dental anxiety symptoms, but here are the common ones to watch out for:
Psychological issues related to obtaining dental care can affect you or your child’s entire body. From the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to the gastrointestinal and nervous systems, one or more could make it difficult to function at home, work, or school.
Being anxious about going to the dentist or having procedures done is the fifth most common cause of anxiety. Whether mild or extreme, stressing out can be more harmful in the long run — well beyond merely oral health — because dental anxiety can impact daily life.
These are the ways dental anxiety can lower your quality of life:
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you might be inclined to delay, avoid, or cancel an appointment to see the dentist. A child may make excuses, even when you try to bribe them with a special toy or treat. That’s where a dental anesthesiologist comes in.
Many people with dental anxiety refuse to go to the dentist for long periods of time. They wait until their teeth get so bad that the pain forces them to seek medical attention. Doing so can make matters much worse than what they feared in the first place — it can be a vicious never-ending cycle of dental fear. Addressing that fear through anesthesia ensures people get the care they need.
Anesthesia can be used to make patients more comfortable and relaxed during dental procedures. Numerous studies prove that a dental anesthesiologist might help with dental anxiety. Studies have also shown that even minimal oral sedatives reduce dental anxiety and phobia in patients.
Here’s how a dental anesthesiologist helps patients with dental anxiety:
No matter the reason you or a family member gets scared or anxious about going to the dentist, a dental anesthesiologist might be the answer. This is key to keeping your child from kicking and screaming every time they need their teeth cleaned, cavities filled, or more complex treatments.
It’s common for people to suffer from dental anxiety and be afraid of going to the dentist. You’re not alone if this is you, your child, or another family member. The good news is that a dental anesthesiologist can help. Their job is to do everything they can so you don’t avoid or delay getting the proper care for your teeth. In children, especially, you don’t want every dental appointment to be traumatizing. This is done through various types of anesthetics to help you relax and avoid feeling any pain. Leave it to a dental anesthesiologist to help make the experience more pleasant.
