If the thought of going to the dentist fills you with dread, you are certainly not alone! Fear of the dentist is one of
the major reasons that adults don’t see their dentist regularly, which can lead to minor problems becoming much worse
over time.
McIntosh Dental in Henderson, West Auckland, is trying to change that. They recognise that dental anxiety is very real
and have treated patients with everything from mild nervousness through to complete, crippling fear.
The clinic offers several options for anxious patients. Their Drift Away service focuses on distraction and sensory
management. Patients are set up with a blanket and noise-cancelling headphones which effectively block out the sound of
any dental instruments. They choose something to watch and sit back and relax during their dental treatment. Drift Away
can be helpful for everyone from children or teenagers getting braces fitted through to nervous adults or anyone who is
having a long or involved procedure.
For patients who have higher levels of anxiety, or who require extended treatments, sleep dentistry can be a great
option. Also known as dental sedation, McIntosh Dental offers oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and IV
sedation. Not only is sedation painless and stress-free, McIntosh Dental’s advanced technology and continual monitoring
processes ensure it is very safe. In fact, as Dr McIntosh has been providing sedation for over 40 years, he was recently
able to complete a select course which enables the clinic to offer the most advanced IV sedation available in a dental
surgery in New Zealand.
One of McIntosh Dental’s patients felt stressed just at the thought of a check-up, and when she was told she required
two tooth extractions she began having nightmares about it. Her dentist, Dr Gangadin, suggested dental sedation and this
effectively enabled the whole experience to be a positive one. “The team were all so welcoming and I felt really
reassured by all of the monitoring in place,” she says. “I truly feel that having such a positive experience throughout
this procedure will make a huge difference for me moving forward with having less anxiety at regular appointments.”
The team at McIntosh Dental take dental anxiety seriously and strive to make every patient feel calm and comfortable
throughout their visit.
To find out more visit https://www.mcintoshdental.co.nz/dental-anxiety/