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Conducted researches show that 80-90 % of children in Turkish society are scared of dentists. This fear is astonishingly seen almost entire population of children member of different age groups. In  brief, dentist phobia does not recognize age limit in children. Do you think that individuals hesitating from tooth treatment are children? Of course, not. International data shows that 10 % 0f world population avoids seeing dentist because of fear. This is a really serious rate.
Dentist phobia may reach levels which can spoil psychological mood of an individual. That is, although tooth pains are on unbearable levels, it is possible to encounter people who do not want to go to dentist or who can show physical reactions such as heart-throb, nausea or sweating when obliged to go to dentist. Actually, this is not something to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it will be true to assess and handle these cases as natural reactions of a person. It is useful to distinguish concepts of “Fear” and “Phobia” for overcoming phobia of dentist. Phobia of dentist is based on unreasonable assumptions or false unconfirmed information like all fears which humankind has been experiencing. This is a natural reaction process which can be overcome with true approaches. Dentist phobia is called one upper level of fear. Person gets hidden from incident in a behaviour shape. Person shows tendency of escaping from himself or existing problem by suppressing his agitations even if it is a serious ailment. However, this escaping action may put patient into more complicated situation. For instance, while most people’s problem is in a way which can be solved with a simple treatment, tooth problem may turn into a case requiring more complicated and troublesome treatment. Nonetheless, it is possible to leave behind dentist phobia with accurate steps. It is necessary to identify factors causing this phobia by getting to the root of this fear primarily for overcoming dentist phobia in both children and adults. Factors causing dentist phobia can be categorized under 3 headlines. In first headline, there are “Environmental Factors” covering false unconfirmed information which is taken from other groups in family, school or social life. False unconfirmed information is on bush telegraph. In this way, many incidents turn back with exaggeration and false expressions. A negative perception is created against tooth treatments in both child and adult individuals.
Another factor creating negative perception is called “False Experiences”. Faulty and lacking dentist’s applications are found in the base of false experiences. Significance of selecting a dentist suitable for character of individual or child in this point, establishing a relationship of patient-doctor based on mutual trust and sincerity and transforming this relationship into long lasting togetherness becomes highly vital.
 It is required to prefer specialist dentists having a serious background knowledge and experience in expertise of “Paediatric Dentistry” for precluding dentist phobia in specifically children. One of the negative factors creating dentist phobia is misdirection of families. . For example, do not mischief, otherwise dentist will inject you; I will have you extracted your teeth, doctor will inject you and so forth. These kinds of scaring lead to having a life time phobia and escaping from life time dentist treatment by starting from childhood. You have to absolutely avoid such scaring methods and warn the people who are in such approach.
Take your first step for overcoming dentist phobia in your child and in your family. You have got to know factor causing fears. Now, it is time to walk to more conscious future for your child and family by choosing right dentist.
I hope more healthy day which is refined from phobias based on groundless reasons.
Tips: * Role of family is of utmost importance in overcoming dentist phobia of a child. * Process starts with choosing right dentist. * Right dentist must be a specialist in paediatric dentistry. *Clinics which are suitable for your child should be preferred. *In this respect, decoration, music, special rooms and personnel carry a major role. * Beginning treatments should be kept short, sessions should be playful. *Child patient should be regularly informed during treatment and controls. * Awareness of mouth and tooth health should be acquired to person in young age. *Families should support in this process and bridge should be formed between dentist and child.
Dr. Mehmet Ali Özer
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