Fear tends to be a strong deterrent to visiting the dentist, according to Melissa Dittmann in a 2005 article in the APA's Monitor on Psychology, "For people fearful of dentists, a routine dental checkup may seem more like a nightmare: A masked dentist...poking sharp objects into their mouth... scraping or drilling their teeth as debris flies.... When that fear becomes a phobia, the experience can become even more intense, leading to a rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, sweating and even fainting." Fear of the dental monster can elicit an irrational avoidance of a critical health concern.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety is caused by a biological response to the stimulus of a real or perceived threat. When a person feels threatened, the amygdala prepares the body by activating the fight-or-flight system of the brain, which then responds through the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal-cortical system alerts the body to speed up, tense up, become hypervigilant, and take action. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream. Anxiety is neurophysical.
Promising Natural Technique Prevents Anxiety from Registering in the Brain
Dr. Rex A. Whiteman, an Emory University School of Dentistry graduate, in private practice outside of Atlanta for over twenty-five years, is one of the first dentists in Georgia to use NuCalm technology. This revolutionary, natural technique relaxes the body within minutes and offers the patient a safe, rejuvenating dental experience every time. NuCalm is administered at the beginning of the office visit and most patients experience deep relaxation in less than five minutes. There is no extra fee.
According to Dr. Whiteman, "It has made working on patients less stressful, with 20% less time in the chair, and patients are more at ease for a better overall experience." He describes NuCalm as "...A non-narcotic relaxation therapy with no side effects. The benefit over sedation is that there is no recovery time because you are not put to sleep and there is no headache or nausea from nitrous oxide." His synopsis is, "Better dentistry and more relaxed patients who report that they feel as if they have had a power nap."
How Was the NuCalm Technique Developed?
The NuCalm technology uses undetectable pulses and classical music to interrupt the body's anxiety response to the brain. The natural relaxation technique was developed by two pioneering neuroscientists in Kerrville, TX, who were working on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder therapies. NuCalm was launched after seven years of product research & development. and clinical validation. To date, over 21,700 dental patients throughout the U.S. have experienced relaxing dental appointments with NuCalm.
Summary
Anxiety about going to the dentist can be abated using a revolutionary technology that improves the dental experience for patients, clinicians, and dental teams by providing a fully relaxed and comfortable dental experience for every patient. With NuCalm, patients experience a safe, predictable, reliable, and easy to use technique with no side effects or required recuperation time .
Resources:
Dittmann, Melissa, "When health fears hurt health." American Psychological Association. July 2005, Vol 36, No. 7, page 100. Accessed online Aug, 28, 2011.
Whiteman, Rex. Personal interview and email exchange. Tuesday, July 05, 2011 11:49 AM.
Linda Sue Meagher - Linda Sue loves animals, writing & art and considers herself a student of Human Nature. She loves outdoor adventures like skiing and ...
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