Frank J. Romano, DMD

2240 Madison Ave.
Bridgeport, CT  (North End)

TRANSFORM FEAR INTO ACTION….. OVERCOMING DENTAL FEARS WITH DR. ROMANO

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Dr. Romano believes everyone deserves proper dental care. However for some, even the simplest of dental procedures may be very difficult. He feels it is important to spend extra time with all patients; establishing relationships that are built on sensitivity, trust and friendship. He starts with creating a calm, welcoming environment that caters to the patient’s dental needs.

Having fears is natural. Whether it is fear of heights, fear of bugs or even, fear of the dentist. Fears not only occur in children, but are prevalent with adults. As one ages, fear and anxiety increases in many individuals making an experience that was once tolerable now seem very difficult to undergo. But seeing the dentist is one fear you should not avoid. Here are some things you can do to help you get to the dental office and through the appointment:

⁃Speak up. Let us know that you are anxious. Tell the receptionist when you book the appointment, and tell the staff when you arrive. And most importantly, tell your dentist. Let us know what makes you nervous or if you have had a bad experience in the past. It is especially important to let us know if you have felt pain before. Sometimes patients experience unnecessary pain even though they have been given a local anesthetic. They often do not say anything for fear of upsetting the dentist or because they are embarrassed, but a larger dose of anesthetic at the beginning of treatment often works better than trying to give more once the treatment starts.

  • Talk to the staff about the coping skills that have worked for you in the past and those that you would like to try. Also, ask to start with simple, shorter appointments if possible.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions. Some people worry about what is going to happen before and during the procedure. If you are curious, ask what the treatment involves or to briefly explain as you go along.
  • Agree on a signal you can give—like raising your hand—if you need to take a break during treatment.

⁃Distract yourself. You have a lot of options for distracting yourself to help take your mind off the treatment. Here at Dr Romano’s you are welcome to watch TV or listen to whatever you would like on XM radio (all with noise canceling headphones)

  • Listening to an audiobook
  • Occupy your hands by squeezing a soft stress ball or playing with a fidget toy;
  • It may sound silly, but go to your happy place. Try imagining yourself someplace else. It might help you escape your surroundings and stay calm.

⁃Breathe. Deep breathing brings oxygen into your body, helping slow your heart rate and relax your muscles. You can practice deep breathing anywhere—on the way to the appointment, in the waiting room, or in the chair before treatment begins. There are number of different breathing exercises that may help. For example, you can try breathing in deeply while counting slowly to 5. Hold your breath for a second. Then, sigh or exhale slowly. Do this for 4 or 5 breaths. Deep breathing exercises can even be performed when you’re not facing an appointment. That way, when you have one scheduled, you’ll be better prepared.

⁃Get in tune with your body through relaxation. It may sound backward, but sometimes you can relax by tensing your muscles first. One way is to slowly move from one muscle group to the next before treatment begins, tensing the muscles in each group for 5 to 7 seconds then relaxing for 20 seconds. Four sample muscle groups are:

  • feet, calves, thighs, and buttocks;
  • hands, forearms, and biceps;
  • chest, stomach, and lower back;
  • head, face, throat, and shoulders.

This exercise also might be something you could practice before your appointment, so that when you need it, you will be ready to fully experience the benefits.

These are just a few coping techniques. Work with our dental staff to develop a plan that not only gets you in the door, but keeps you coming back for visits on a regular basis. Please contact Dr. Romano if you have any questions or concerns.

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Monday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed