The West Wind Dental Difference
Have No Fear At West Wind Dental
Until entering the dental field as a profession, I never realized just how many people out there were afraid to come to the dentist; how naïve of me! When I first learned this, I thought doing a little research on the topic would help me to better care for my patients. Stunningly, I found that, according to PubMed, “dental anxiety, or dental fear, is estimated to affect approximately 36% of the population, with a further 12% suffering from extreme dental fear.” This made me ask myself: what can we do as a practice and as clinicians, to make this better?
Identifying the fear is the first step in enabling us to better care for our patients. Asking patients about their dental histories and past experiences are the most effective ways to determine if a patient is afraid, and to what degree they are suffering from it. Fear comes in all shapes and sizes and the care and support that the patient needs to overcome it does as well. It could be that a patient saw a video or article on social media that left them feeling uneasy about a particular treatment, or maybe the fear started at a young age when advanced technology was not yet available, resulting in a traumatic experience. Regardless of the cause, it is an issue that our team empathizes with and is prepared to help!
What do we do differently at West Wind Dental?
We keep our fearful patients in mind across all departments of the practice and take steps to use a variety of methods and treatments to reduce pain and alleviate fear. Upon entering our office, patients and visitors are greeted with a warm smile from our front desk team and are encouraged to take a load off in our cozy waiting room chairs.
We also utilize soothing green and grey tones throughout the office and even have a fireplace in our lobby that can assist patients in feeling more at ease. Our patients often say West Wind Dental has more of a spa-like feel than a more traditional, sterile dental office. Aromatherapy is often also utilized to encourage relaxation. Intimidating informational posters depicting gum disease, bad breath, and scary-looking instruments will not be found here!
All new patients to our practices are screened with dental and medical history forms that better help us to determine your individual needs, enabling us to tailor treatment specifically for the individual-there is no “one size fits all” treatment planning at West Wind Dental. For instance, if knowing the details of a procedure helps you to feel more prepared, we can explain what is happening throughout the appointment. If too much information is overwhelming, you can sit back and let us take care of you.
Our patients can expect exceptional dental care, convenient appointment times, and great customer service every time they come to West Wind Dental!
At West Wind Dental, we use state-of-the-art technology to care for our patients enabling us to reduce healing time and prevent complications. Furthermore, knowing that so many patients with dental fear or anxiety are afraid of needles, encouraged us to purchase The Wand® which is a pain-free alternative to the traditional dental injection. It is a computer-controlled single tooth anesthesia (STA) system that helps us provide our patients with a dental experience that is more comfortable and relaxed. The Wand® delivers a computer-regulated flow of anesthetic, which results in a more comfortable, often pain-free numbing experience! It also looks a lot less threatening than a syringe with a large needle attached to it coming towards your face!
We also believe in clear communication between our team and our patients because knowing what to expect is important. “You’re lying prone, the dentist is hovering above you, and he is putting you in a situation where you can hardly talk or respond. That creates a lot of anxiety for some people because they don’t feel in control,” explained Ellen Rodino, Ph.D., a psychologist in Santa Monica, Calif.
That is exactly why before starting any procedure, we always make sure to encourage our patients to raise their hand if they need a bathroom break, if they are feeling sensitive, or if they simply need a rinse.
There are numerous strategies available to cope with dental fear and anxiety. Our team can offer all of this and so much more to help our patients feel at ease here at West Wind Dental. It can take time and effort, but it is possible to progress to a point where your fears will no longer prevent you from getting the oral care you need!
Contact us today to talk about how we can calm your fears about your visit to the dentist!
Emily T., DA
Dental Assistant
Emily is originally from Saginaw, Michigan, but recently relocated to the Portage area where she is excited to be pursuing a career in the dental field. While she plans to pursue further education in her role as a Dental Assistant, Emily is eager to help in creating healthy and beautiful smiles for all of her patients and believes that approaching their care with empathy and a positive attitude is key.
When not in the office, Emily enjoys photography, all forms of motorsports, working out, and has a soft spot for anything with four legs and fur.
