Scared of the Dentist? How We Help Nervous Patients in Bethlehem, PA

Published by Always About Smiles.

If just thinking about a dental visit puts you on edge, you're in good company. The American Dental Association puts it simply: if you get nervous thinking about the dentist, you're not alone. Dental anxiety keeps a lot of people away for years, and the longer the gap, the harder that first call feels. Below, you'll find what helps, what to say when you call, and what your first visit looks like with Dr. Thomas Lambert in Bethlehem, PA.

What helps if I'm scared of the dentist?

The biggest help is telling us you're nervous, when you book and again when you sit down. Once we know, we can set the pace with you, explain each step before it happens, and build in breaks.

The ADA's tips for dental anxiety suggest a few more ways to make the visit easier:

• Agree on a signal. Raising your hand means you need a break.
• Bring headphones, so you can listen to your favorite music or an audiobook.
• Count your breaths. Inhale slowly, then exhale for the same number of counts, a few times while you wait or in the chair.

We'll help with the rest. Tell us your favorite music and we'll have it ready at your next appointment. We keep blankets and pillows on hand to keep you warm and comfortable, and sunglasses if the overhead light bothers your eyes.

What should I say when I call to book?

Say you're nervous. That one sentence tells us to plan your visit around you, and the ADA recommends telling the receptionist exactly that when you book.

Dr. Lambert knows how hard that call can be. For someone with a deep fear of the dentist, he says, picking up the phone and talking to a real person is the first big step.

When you call us, you'll reach someone who works here. Mary Lou, our office manager, has been with the practice since 1994 and schedules appointments, so you can tell her what worries you and what has happened at past visits. The ADA's advice on how to choose a dentist encourages you to share past dental experiences and concerns, including anxiety, and to make sure the dentist answers all your questions.

What happens at a first visit if I'm nervous?

Your first visit is an exam and a conversation, and you set the pace for both. Most patients are seated right away in their treatment room and are cared for at a pace they control for the entire visit.

Dr. Lambert does a thorough exam of your teeth and gums, reviews your dental and medical history, includes an oral cancer screening, and takes any digital x-rays you need. If you'd rather start by talking, we'll tailor the visit to your needs and concerns, "even if it means that we just sit and talk about your concerns."

Dr. Lambert explains what he sees as he goes, so you always know what's happening and why. In his words: "I don't sell dentistry. I educate the patient. I think there's nothing stronger than an educated patient."

He's just as clear about who sets the pace for anxious patients: "we work at their speed. We want them to keep control of the visits."

Will I be judged for how long it's been since my last visit?

You won't. In Dr. Lambert's words: "We're a guilt-free office. We're not going to judge you."

Whether it's been two years or twenty, we start with your teeth as they are today and talk about how to make things better for you. You decide what happens next, and when.

Why do nervous Bethlehem patients choose Always About Smiles and Dr. Lambert?

Patients choose us because our Bethlehem dental office was designed from ceiling to floor to feel calm and comfortable. Special design features and sound-absorbing materials keep the work in the back treatment areas from carrying, so the reception room stays quiet, and the treatment equipment we use sits out of sight or behind you.

A few more details our nervous patients appreciate:

• To help normal feeling come back sooner after a filling, we offer OraVerse, which reverses the effects of your local dental anesthetic.
• You see the same dentist every time. Always About Smiles is an independent practice that has cared for local families since 1988, and Dr. Thomas R. Lambert, DMD, MAGD, is the doctor you'll see at every visit.
• Dr. Lambert holds Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is held by fewer than 2% of general dentists in the United States and Canada.

You can read more about how we care for patients with dental anxiety, fear and guilt on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I tell the office if I'm nervous about the dentist?

Tell us you're nervous when you book and again when you sit down. Once we know, we can set the pace with you, explain each step before it happens, and build in breaks.

Can I take a break during my visit?

Yes. Agree on a signal with us before we start, like raising your hand, and we'll stop for a break.

Do I have to start treatment at my first visit?

No. Your first visit is an exam and a conversation, and if you'd rather start by talking, we'll tailor the visit to your needs and concerns.

Will I be judged if it's been years since my last visit?

No. We're a guilt-free office, and whether it's been two years or twenty, we start with your teeth as they are today.

How do I take the first step?

Call and tell us you're nervous. We'll take it from there, at your speed.

Call us at (610) 868-9928 or request an appointment online. You'll find us at 2299 Brodhead Road, Suite E, in Bethlehem, PA, with free parking and ground-level access.

Published by Always About Smiles (Dr. Thomas R. Lambert).