Fear of Dentists (Dentophobia)

Professional hypnosis treatments for the fear of dental treatment at the Wombourne Clinic near Wolverhampton

About the Fear of Dentists

The Fear of Dentists refers to the fear of dentistry and of receiving dental care as opposed to fear of dentists themselves.

A severe form of this phobia is variously called dental phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, or dental anxiety.

However, it has been suggested that the term “dental phobia” is inappropriate as many people with this condition do not feel their fears to be irrational or unreasonable and can relate directly to a previous painful experience.

As with any type of phobia, there are varying degrees of fear of dentists.

The most common, and least severe, is simply a worry of the unknown. This may arise if you’ve heard ‘horror stories’ from other people or you’re worried about what could happen.

Dental Fear

The ‘entry level’ fear of dentists is “Dental Fear”, which is a reaction to a known danger.

For example, you may have had a tooth removed and experienced some pain. As a result, you may stress about experiencing it again. To some extent this is a completely normal reaction.

The tactile sensors in our mouths make objects feel much larger than they really are, and so the feelings of have somebody ‘rummaging around’ in your mouth can easily be perceived as unpleasant.

Dental Phobia

Dental phobia is similar to dental fear but is a more severe form of fear of dentists. It’s often the result of a bad past experience.

For some people, dental phobia can be so crippling that simply seeing a toothpaste advert or a dental surgery can cause distress. This is known as Anticipatory Anxiety.

Reasons you may have developed the fear of Dentists include:

• bad childhood experiences
• fear of needles
• fears of anaesthetic
• fears of the dentists drill
• lack of control
• feeling vulnerable
• invasion of personal space

Treating the Fear of Dentists with Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy for the fear of dentists offers a unique approach to overcoming dental anxiety by tapping into your subconscious mind, allowing you to reshape your thoughts and emotions related to dental visits.

Through guided relaxation and suggestion techniques, hypnotherapy helps ease those feelings of dread and apprehension, empowering you to face dental treatments with confidence rather than fear.

As you engage in this therapeutic process, you may discover that the sensations and memories associated with dental work can be reframed, leading to a more positive outlook and ultimately a smoother experience during your dental appointments.

Hypnotherapy sessions, clinic location and fees

Initial consultation:
A calm, exploratory meeting to understand your situation and how hypnotherapy may help.

Ongoing sessions:
Typically weekly or fortnightly, tailored to your needs.

Location:
Comfortable private setting near Wolverhampton / Wombourne, with free parking.

Fees:
Initial consultation: £30
Ongoing hypnotherapy session: £90
6 session hypnotherapy courses: £480