"Why am I scared to go to the dentist?"

Even today it is surprisingly common for people to express anxieties about visiting their dentist. A fear of dental treatment leaves a person with a sense of inadequacy and guilt and because of their fears their problems will keep increasing - it's a vicious circle. A 'phobia' is an irrational, intense and persistent fear of certain situations, activities, people or things that we will try to avoid - at any cost to ourselves. Fearful people may be driven to get help because they are in pain and need an emergency treatment. Unfortunately, in many cases they don't return for further treatment because they were so stressed at the time of treatment that the communication between them and the dentist were insufficient or misunderstood. This is a frustrating and unsatisfactory situation for both dentist and patient with an increased sense of inadequacy and guilt.

Dental Treatment Combined With Dental Fear/Phobia Treatment

At our Practice we will provide:

Support and treatment to reduce the fear or remove it altogether.
Dental treatment of your teeth.

You may have had a bad experience of dental treatment and now you transfer that negative impression to all other treatments. We want to give you the opportunity to re-build Your confidence and change the way you think about dental services.

You may have experience of being in a disadvantaged position, helpless or ignored, in a dental or medical situation. With us you will be the most important member of a co-operation and we will always listen to what you have to say.

Many people have profound feelings of helplessness or insecurity in a dental or medical situation; hence we will always advise the best treatment for you.

We have a sincere respect for your fear. It is important to us as professionals that your needs come first and equally important that as treatment providers we work closely together with you to find a treatment that suits your needs.

This is the way it works

You will meet Dr Behrooz Sahami (Dentist) for an initial consultation, perhaps a simple examination of your teeth if you are willing, and a treatment plan. The next stage is to find out more about you and how your fears are manifested; this will involve you, Dr Sahami and an accredited psychotherapist. If you decide to continue with the treatment plan we will deduct the cost of the consultation from the final bill when your treatment is completed.

Treatment with the Psychotherapist

Your treatment may begin with the psychotherapist, providing you with a wider range of methods to help you deal with your fear so that, step by step, You can be calmer and feel safer before you start any dental treatments. The psychotherapist will work together with Dr Sahami so that in all stages your treatment is carefully considered to suit your individual needs.

Treatments methods with the Psychotherapist

The methods offered will depend on your particular needs, wishes and experiences. For example:

Supportive conversation
Handling of stress
Crisis - short-term therapy
Handling of phobia - a cognitive approach
Relaxation and breathing techniques
Processing of trauma

Treatment with the Dentist

Your treatment with Dr Sahami offers new ways to deal with your fear so that you don't feel pressured into making decisions you aren't clear about, and you gradually feel calmer and safer. We can provide whatever dental treatment you need and in consultation with Dr Sahami you will decide what treatment you are going to have. You can accustom yourself to the treatment at your own pace.

Treatments methods at the Dentist

The methods offered will depend on your particular needs, wishes and experiences. For example:

Gentle dental treatment without stress and pain where you can try a variety of procedures to find the one most suitable for you.
Relaxation and breathing techniques
Relaxing Pre-medication
Preventive dentistry and aesthetic dentistry

Time scale

Treatment time scales depend very much on you. Generally the better you are able to co-operate with your treatment providers the sooner Your treatment will be completed - which is obviously more satisfactory for You.

Final Result

The successful outcome of your co-operation will be that you should feel comfortable during the treatment period, and finish a healthy mouth and a confident smile.

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