successful treatment for dentist phobia

• dental psychology by Anne Koerber, DDS, PhD, 6/12/97
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    • Is tx for dental phobia a waste? by Barbara Fleming, Ph.D., 9/21/97
      
      

I'm a layperson, but stumbled onto this board. I was severely dentist-phobic, until several months ago when a freak accident broke my upper jawbone, knocked out an incisor and rearranged my two top front teeth. This required INTENSIVE dental work, including root canals. Immediately after the accident, my dentist drove me over to an oral surgeon and held my hand while my teeth were wired. I was given all the novocaine I wanted, and the dental practitioners coached me in breathing techniques. By my fourth root canal session, I was inured enough to fall asleep in the dentist's chair! My conclusion is that focusing on relaxation, especially breathing, and immersion therapy will do it -- schedule a patient to have all his/her dental work done within a compacted period of time.

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