dental anxiety Archives - Bite Magazine

Gentle dentistry

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:02:31 +0000

Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne firmly believes that the gentle dentistry approach and outstanding clinical results go hand in hand. By Frank Leggett Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne is a firm believer and advocate for gentle dentistry. At her practice, Integrated Dental Canberra, she offers a holistic approach that maximises patients’ chances of a calm experience while benefiting from […]

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Creature comfort

Editor — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:34:37 +0000

Dental hygienist Rachelle Johnson of Coastal Glo in Ulverstone, TAS, wants to give every patient a positive experience—and a furry little sidekick is helping her make this happen. “Some people bring notebooks to work. I bring Col, my certified therapy dog and trusted teammate. Col, my six-year-old Maltese Shih tzu, is Coastal Glo’s most enthusiastic […]

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Hypnosis may help in the management of pain and stress experienced by dental patients

Editor — Wed, 28 May 2025 00:51:19 +0000

A literature review by a Canadian team had found hypnosis could play a significant role in at least three areas of dental care: managing acute pain during dental procedures, reducing the anxiety associated with visiting the dentist, and alleviating chronic orofacial pain. In the review—published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis—the researchers at the Université de […]

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Dr Ava Carter aims high

Editor — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 21:30:17 +0000

Dr Ava Carter has done much to advance the cause of dental patients struggling with phobias. Now the multi- award-winning clinician has set her sights even higher. By Tracey Porter When Dr Ava Carter commits to a cause, she goes all in. Whether working with patients on exposure response prevention or advocating for better mental […]

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New study finds patients with ADHD are at a greater risk of poor oral health

Editor — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 23:18:37 +0000

A recent report by a non-profit in the US has discovered that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to have poor oral health than those without ADHD. According to the study by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health in Boston, 35.5 per cent of participants with ADHD rated their oral health as […]

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Sage Space: no ordinary dental practice

Editor — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:44:36 +0000

A trip to the dentist isn’t usually thought of as a pleasurable experience but Dr Corbin Barry’s dental practice with a difference, Sage Space, in the Darlinghurst district of Sydney, strives to make it just that. By Janet Stone As its website boldly states, Sage Space makes dental health a pleasure. Yet for some, pleasure […]

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In safe hands at Dentist for Chickens

Editor — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:45:58 +0000

Fearful and anxious patients seek out Drs Amit and Ravinder Kalra for the caring and gentle dental experience they provide. By Frank Leggett From the moment a patient steps through the door of Dentist for Chickens, everything is designed to put them at ease. All three practices, owned and run by the husband-and-wife team of […]

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Study reveals anaesthetic injections main stressor in teen dental patients

Editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 01:07:56 +0000

It’s known that children are very stressed by anaesthetics injected into the mouth before tooth extraction, in connection with orthodontic treatment. Now researchers in Sweden have tested a technique to monitor stress levels in 14 to 16-year-olds during dental treatment and found that teenagers are similarly stressed. The results of the pilot study by a […]

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Male dental anxiety

Editor — Sun, 12 May 2024 22:26:43 +0000

A Queensland dentist is shining a spotlight on the issue of male dental anxiety in the hope men will be more proactive when it comes to the long-term protection of their teeth. By Tracey Porter Queensland dentist Dr Cherie Yam understands that when a male patient seeks assistance with an oral health issue, there’s a […]

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US students aim to take the bite out of noisy dental drills

Editor — Sun, 05 May 2024 23:33:39 +0000

A team of mechanical engineering students from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, is working with a Florida dentist to develop a device that aims to make dental procedures less daunting for many patients. The apparatus, which dampens the whirring and buzzing sound of the drill used during procedures such as root canals, was inspired […]

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Overcoming dental fear with the tap of an app

Editor — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:58:56 +0000

A new app created by US researchers shows promise in treating dental anxiety, using the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness—all from the comfort and privacy of home. In the pilot study by a team at NYU College of Dentistry and Penn School of Dental Medicine, half of participants reported that they were no […]

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Dr Ved Berani’s winning ways

Editor — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 22:00:00 +0000

When Dr Ved Berani and his practice won a prestigious business award, he knew exactly what to do with the substantial cash prize. By Kerryn Ramsey Dr Ved Berani graduated from Bombay University in 2000 and was ranked number one in his graduating class. Almost immediately, however, he realised dentistry was not the career for […]

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Pain-free and needle-free dentistry trial underway

Editor — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:46 +0000

A visit to the dentist has the potential to instil fear and anxiety in many Australians, but help is on the way with a game-changing device promising pain-free and needle-free dentistry. Developed by technology start-up Dentroid, the Nuralyte prototype is currently being trialled on cells at Griffith University under the supervision of Professor Roy George. PhD […]

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Showing empathy to your patients

Editor — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:22:51 +0000

Treating anxious patients can be challenging and stressful for dentists. Showing empathy and putting patient needs first can go a long way in improving patient satisfaction and service. By Rashida Tayabali Dental anxiety or dental fear is more common than people think. A study by The University of Adelaide found that high dental fear affects […]

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Fear not! Helping patients deal with dental anxiety

Editor — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:12:50 +0000

For cosmetic dentists Drs Reuben Sim and May Chan, helping patients deal with dental anxiety has evolved into a successful business model. By Frank Leggett For patients who suffer from dental anxiety, a trip to the dentist means experiencing fear, stress, apprehension and tension. Their responses can range from feeling uncomfortable to a severe dental […]

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Managing anxious dental patients

Editor — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 22:21:47 +0000

Going to the dentist is anxiety-inducing for many people, let alone when they’ve experienced dental trauma. Acting calmly, slowly and allowing time for big decisions helps to promote positive long-term outcomes—for the patient and the practice. By Angela Tufvesson When a patient comes into a practice suffering from dental trauma, they can be panicked, emotional […]

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Sleep dentistry

Editor — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:40:18 +0000

Sleep dentistry has attracted a new place in the spotlight in recent times, but the experts agree that patient education is paramount when dealing with the realities of this procedure. By John Burfitt In recent years, the promotion of cosmetic services in all its many forms has continued to attract the lion’s share of attention […]

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The need to identify fearful dental patients early on

Editor — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 00:57:41 +0000

Treating the fear of dental care in childhood is effective and predicts more regular dental examinations later in life, according to a Finnish study. Approximately one in two adults say that they are at least somewhat afraid of dental care, and one in 10 say that they are very afraid. One manifestation of dental fear […]

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Nitrous oxide found to increase dental anaesthesia success rates

Editor — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:25:04 +0000

Given that between 10 and 39 per cent of patients have reported ineffective pulpal anaesthesia, finding the correct local anaesthetic can increase confidence in dental visits and assist people in more regular oral healthcare, US researchers have found. In a study published in Anesthesia Progress, a team at Ohio State University compared the effects of nitrous […]

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The weighted blanket approach

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 23:52:52 +0000

A specially-weighted blanket that occupational therapists have been using in their practices for years might offer a solution for dentists dealings with patients experiencing stress and anxiety. By John Burfitt As the issue of patient anxiety has come far more to the fore in recent years, many dentists have resorted to a range of techniques […]

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Study to investigate if CBT can alleviate children’s dental anxiety

Editor — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 22:43:26 +0000

A pioneering study led by researchers in England will investigate whether Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) could help reduce the worryingly high number of children who are afraid of the dentist. Around one in three children are scared of going to the dentist, leading to dental avoidance, and poor oral health in the long-term. Now, a team […]

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Tools of the trade: ClearView nasal masks

Editor — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 04:50:39 +0000

by Dr Rose Kong, The Gap Dental Practice, QLD At The Gap Dental Practice, we offer nitrous oxide sedation for anxious and nervous patients, both young and old. It’s particularly effective for children, and by using nitrous oxide gas, we can often avoid using local anaesthesia for fillings. Needles are something that anxious patients most […]

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Dr Kumar Raghav on using virtual reality to manage dental anxiety

Editor — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:53:58 +0000

Award-winning research by Dr Kumar Raghav suggests the future of managing dental anxiety may lie in virtual reality rather than sedation. By Rob Johnson Over the past three months, we have all turned to technology to manage our lives. From expanded telehealth consultations to Zoom dinner parties, the silver lining on the pandemic cloud has […]

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Stephanie Roper (aka Tooth Fairy Steph) has the magic touch

Editor — Mon, 25 May 2020 01:12:55 +0000

As a business owner, oral therapist and tooth fairy, Stephanie Roper runs two Queensland practices that are unlike any other dental clinic in Australia. By Frank Leggett When Stephanie Roper opened her practice in 2004, she was the first oral therapist in Queensland to own a dental practice. Prior to 2003, the opportunity was only […]

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Can distraction techniques relax kids at the dentist?

Editor — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 01:00:47 +0000

Randomised controlled trials have tested whether dental anxiety in children and adolescents can be reduced using toys, audio and audiovisual techniques and a range of other measures. In a study published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, Brazilian researchers sought to determine via systematic review of these whether dental anxiety, estimated to affect anywhere between […]

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