There’s a popular misconception with the general public that all dentists are out to hurt them. For patients worried about the whole experience of visiting a dentist, and injections in particular, it’s the perception of pain and discomfort that is causing their fear. According to the Oral Health Foundation almost half of UK adults have a fear of the dentist, with around 12% of these suffering extreme dental anxiety[1].
The challenges
Administering anaesthesia is one of the main hurdles that clinicians face on a daily basis, something that is a particular challenge when treating anxious or dental-phobic patients.
Rate of delivery is probably key as rapid delivery tears delicate tissues apart and always causes pain. Whereas, with slow delivery the material diffuses gently and imperceptibly into the tissue spaces so that the patient feels little or no discomfort. However, injecting slowly and evenly with a manual syringe also presents problems, for example hand fatigue and the risk of a sudden spurt of liquid as the initial friction of the bung is overcome.
The good news is that clinicians can now overcome these problems and provide comfortable injections for their patients, simply by changing their technique. Here are our top 3 reasons why:
Reason 1: Easy administration
Recent technological advancements mean that motorised injection systems have made the injection process easier and less stressful – providing computer assisted anaesthesia to deliver slow, steady and comfortable injections. These are of particular benefit in treating even the most nervous of patients and can really come into their own for more difficult intraligamental procedures.
Reason 2: Patient comfort
By providing comfortable injections in multiple regions the advantage to patients is eliminating extensive soft-tissue anaesthesia. Implementing a tool that allows reproducible optimal flow rate in every case the clinician’s techniques in application can also be positively improved. It even allows for comfortable administration in traditionally sensitive areas such as the attached mucosa of the palate.
Reason 3: Practice building
Happy patients can often go on to recommend friends and family, based on their experience and strength of your injection technique. Keeping patients informed that your practice is up-to-date with treatment modalities and investing in equipment that benefits their well-being can help eliminate the fear of the dental injection and consequently improve the number of accepted treatment plans – which in turn leads to increased practice growth.
To find out how you and your patients can benefit from more comfortable injections click here and we’ll be in touch with our recommended solutions.
[1] https://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/facts-figures/
