In today’s episode of Therapy Thursday, Chelsea continues her series about Dental Anxiety and Phobia by looking at how and why these phobic cycles maintain themselves and providing some ideas on how to help deal with them.
Episode Highlights:
- The many ‘Maintaining factors’ in dental anxiety and phobia
- How to recognize these factors in patients
- Suggestions to help address some of these factors
Quotes:
“When we have a 50 year-old man in our chair, he is still referencing this experience he had when he was 6.”
“The thought pattern of a phobia strengthens over time. It’s actually very rewarding neurologically to avoid a phobic situation.”
“Their body does not believe they are safe, and it’s getting ready to either fight or flight or freeze.”
“You can relate it to starting a diet every Monday.”
“They are reinforcing to themselves that they cannot cope with that situation.”
“Start empowering the patient and help them change their narrative about themselves, and then also help them find their voice with dental treatment.”
“Your only job is to do the best you can with these patients with the time you have. It is not your responsibility to heal them…but you can absolutely help to facilitate that process when they are in your chair.”
Links:
More Therapy Thursday Podcast Episodes: https://ataleoftwohygienists.com/therapythursday/
The Dental Podcast Network Channel One homepage:
http://dentalpodcastnetworkchannelone.otcpn.libsynpro.com/
The Dental Podcast Network Channel Two homepage:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dental-podcast-networks-channel-two/id1478530429
