Dr. Allan Charles of Foundation Dental Specialists offers advice on managing fear and building trust with your dental care provider.
For many, the thought of visiting the dentist evokes feelings of anxiety — even fear. This is especially true for those who require specialized dental care, such as periodontal or endodontic treatment.
However, according to Dr. Allan Charles, Periodontist Emeritus, there are ways to manage dental anxiety and foster a trusting relationship with your specialist.
“Almost all of the time that patients feel anxious about care, it’s because they’ve had some experiences in the past, either with dentists or possibly with other healthcare providers where, for lack of a better way of saying it, things just haven’t gone as smoothly as they could,” Charles explained in an interview.
Charles, who established (what is now called) Foundation Dental Specialists 50 years ago with Dr. Morishita, emphasizes the importance of open communication between patients and their dental care providers.
“Number one, express yourself to the practitioner as a patient. Tell the practitioner that you’re nervous or you’re anxious about treatment so that you can talk about that,” he advised.
At Foundation Dental Specialists, the team takes a gradual approach to help patients feel more at ease.
“We always try to start out in small steps. Let’s take baby steps until we can build up to the bigger steps,” Charles said. “And that way patients get more comfortable with treatment.”
Ultimately, finding a dental specialist who listens to your concerns and with whom you feel comfortable is crucial.
“Find a dentist, find a specialist that you’re comfortable with. That’s a key issue,” Charles stressed.
Foundation Dental Specialists has recently expanded its services to include advanced endodontic care, complementing its established periodontal treatments. The practice utilizes cutting-edge technology and a collaborative approach among its specialists to provide comprehensive, personalized care to patients.
By following Charles’ advice and seeking out a dental specialist who prioritizes patient comfort and open communication, those with dental anxiety can take steps towards achieving optimal oral health without fear.
You can reach Foundation Dental Specialists are at (626) 796-5361. For more visit https://foundationdentalspecialists.com/
