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Dealing with Phobic, Nervous or Anxious Patients - Free Downloads and Links
The Use of Positive Language
This paper describes how to use positive language and suggestion in your practice, and also gives an example of a positively framed patient leaflet following tooth removal.
The Use of Positive Language in Dentistry (PDF file)How to... manage patient anxiety
Nathan Friedman's classic (1967) paper on iatrosedation, as relevant as ever, is now available as a PDF download. It's very readable, gives lots of real-life examples, and provides great psychological insights without resorting to superfluous psychobabble. A word of caution: some "interviewing" could potentially prove intrusive. Please check out the document "Dental Phobia in Abuse Survivors" below (PDF download). Also, some of the dialogue feels a little outdated.
Iatrosedation (PDF file)Treating Abuse Survivors
Written by a survivor of childhood abuse, this article provides practical advice on how to recognize and deal with dental patients who may have suffered sexual, physical or emotional abuse in the past. An abridged version of this article appeared on smile-on.com in May 2005. Feel free to print copies for use in educational or training settings.
Dental Phobia in Survivors of Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse (PDF file)New Patient Forms
This patient form is designed to take the guesswork out of patient anxieties, allowing you to address fears more efficiently. Great for use on your website, too!
Dental Patient FormsHow to... handle gaggers
An extensive collection of tips for managing patients with a bad gag reflex.
How to deal with patients with a bad gag reflexHow to... achieve perfect local anesthesia
This crash course by David Isen is available free on the net and provides information, complete with photos, on topics such as the Gow-Gates Block, Akinosi technique, intraosseous injections, periodontal ligament injections, anatomic variation, painless injections, reasons for incomplete anaesthesia and how to circumvent them:
Local Anaesthetic Technique by David A. Isen
For in-depth information, the following book and DVD comes highly recommended: "Handbook of Local Anesthesia with Malamed's Local Anesthesia Administration DVD Package" by Stan Malamed - 5th Ed. / 2004 (clicking on the link will take you to Amazon, where you can have a free look inside the book). Extremely well laid-out, with lots of colour photos, and very easy to read! This book and DVD set covers everything you need to know about pain-free dentistry, fancy injections and the latest techniques and gadgets.
How to... create a friendly dental environment
A relaxed environment makes for a relaxed patient... plus it's more fun to work in. Check out the following article for some tips (you don't need to go the whole hog):
"The Art and Science of Distraction" by Lloyd Jerome, BDSHow to... chill out in 5 minutes
The "Stressbuster" mp3 download is brought to you by Adam Sargant, who originally created this rapid relaxation session because it annoys him that smokers can go and get a five minute chill out break when things get stressy, so he wrote an exactly 5 minutes long relaxation session. Record it onto an iPod, mp3 player, or onto CD.
Stressbuster (mp3 file)How to... meet and greet patients
First impressions count - here's a basic guide to establishing rapport with your patients:
Meeting and Greeting