Overcoming The Fear of the Dentist: Conquer Anxiety with Spodak
We understand that overcoming many people are fearful of going to the dentist and avoid necessary dental prevention treatment!
We’re here to let you know that the team at Spodak Dental Group is different.
If you’ve been putting off a checkup, avoiding necessary dental treatment, or are living with tooth pain because you have dental anxiety, we would like the opportunity to change your mind and show you just how pleasant a dental visit can be.
Our team of board-certified doctors and anesthesiologists are able to provide complete comfort for you during your visit with us, including laughing gas and sleep dentistry options.
What is dental phobia and how common is it?
If you’re afraid of the dentist or have dental anxiety, you’re not alone.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), roughly 60% of Americans suffer from some sort of dental anxiety or dental phobia. This might have been caused by a bad dental experience as a child, a painful experience as an adult, or just a general fear of the dentist causing them to avoid any dentistry unless absolutely necessary.
Symptoms of dental anxiety include:
• Making appointments and canceling them at the last minute
• Extreme nervousness before or during an appointment
• Getting easily upset in the dental chair, even before treatment starts
The bottom line is that anxiety keeps you from getting the dental care you need, which can lead to larger and more problematic issues down the road.
Many people who suffer from the fear of the dentist only visit the dentist if they absolutely have to. This often leads to more serious issues that are even more challenging to repair. Routine care and maintenance could have nipped the problem in the bud. But now the patient has to undergo more intensive care, which adds to the feeling of anxiety.
It’s a vicious cycle!
What causes dental anxiety and fear of the dentist?
In addition to a possible bad experience as a child or young adult, there are other fears that patients have when visiting a new office or meeting a new dental team, including:
• Fear of the unknown
• Fear of pain
• Worry about being judged
• Nervousness about paying for treatment
But, under the care of a compassionate and dedicated team, these fears can all be alleviated.
 Dr. Tiffany Dudley says…“We understand most people don’t usually enjoy their dental visits. So we go above and beyond to offer comprehensive care in an environment that is calming and will help you feel safe and at ease.” |
How to overcome dental anxiety
There is hope!
Here at Spodak Dental Group, our goal is to make sure each patient feels comfortable at all stages of their visit with us, including:
• When speaking to our team on the phone to make the appointment
• During their initial consultation and throughout all subsequent appointments
• Even after they leave our office!
We strive to take the very best care of everyone, and the best way to do so is to let us know what you’re feeling.
• If you’re anxious, tell us.
• If you’re nervous, tell us.
• If you’re fearful, tell us.
There is no problem that we can’t solve.
Calming office
Our biophilic office was built with our patient’s comfort in mind.
There are floor-to-ceiling windows in almost every corner of the office, which helps to connect patients to the outside environment. Studies show this helps to calm patients, help them feel better faster, and even helps to prevent illness! Additionally, we have six healing gardens and areas of respite that patients are encouraged to enjoy before or after their appointment.
Friendly and welcoming staff
Our team of more than 50 dentists, lab technicians, clinical and admin team members are uniquely equipped to provide the very best comprehensive care. Everything you need is right here at our office!
We offer judgment-free dental visits focused on your personal health and well-being. We also make sure you feel comfortable, listened to, and appreciated. Basically, we treat patients how we would want to be treated.
Spa environment
In addition to our state-of-the-art facility, we also offer numerous amenities to help our patients feel comfortable during their appointments. Our Relaxation Menu includes:
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Heated massage chairs
• Blankets and neck pillows
• Scented warm face towels
• Refreshments like coffee, filtered water, and La Croix
Sedation dentistry
We offer two forms of sedation dentistry in our office, and we will work together to choose the best option for you.
For people who have mild dental anxiety or prefer to just be a little more comfortable during treatment, we would offer laughing gas (nitrous oxide). The benefit of this is that you simply breathe in the gas, and the feeling goes away a few minutes after your treatment, so you are able to drive and go about your day.
If patients prefer to be asleep during their treatments, we also offer IV sedation. This is a great option for patients who have extreme dental anxiety and are undergoing several treatments (cleaning, extraction, implant, root canal, etc.) in one visit.
Just explain your worries and goals to our team and we’ll be happy to pick the best option(s) that will make you feel the most comfortable and relaxed.
Don’t be a stranger!
So even if you have minor dental anxiety, or would prefer to never see a dentist until you absolutely have to, we are always here for you. Our goal is to help our patients feel comfortable so they receive the care they need.
In addition to a calming environment and sleep dentistry solutions, we will also work to complete as many necessary dental treatments as we can in one visit, so you can get back to enjoying the rest of your life.
Ready to learn more? Contact Spodak Dental Group to schedule your appointment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a dentist who truly understands dental anxiety?
You’re not just looking for a dentist, you’re looking for a team that actually gets what you’re feeling.
That means a place where anxiety isn’t brushed off, it’s expected and planned for.
At the right office, every step is designed to make you feel safe, from the first phone call to the moment you leave. The benefit is simple but powerful: you finally feel understood, which makes it easier to take that first step and follow through with care.
Can a dental visit really feel comfortable or even relaxing?
Yes, when the environment is built around you, not just the dentistry.
Imagine walking into a space filled with natural light, calming surroundings, and small details that actually matter, like massage chairs, headphones, and a team that moves at your pace.
The benefit isn’t just comfort during the visit; it’s changing how you feel about dentistry altogether. What used to cause stress can start to feel manageable, even easy.
What sedation options are best if I’m really nervous about treatment?
It depends on your level of anxiety, and that’s exactly how it should be.
For mild nerves, something like laughing gas can take the edge off and wear off quickly, so you can go about your day. For deeper anxiety, IV sedation allows you to relax completely, often with little memory of the procedure.
The benefit is choice. You’re not forced into one approach; you get a solution tailored to how you feel, so the experience works for you.
Can I get all my dental work done in one visit if I’ve been avoiding the dentist?
In many cases, yes. With proper planning and sedation, it’s possible to combine multiple treatments into a single visit. That means fewer appointments, less time stressing about upcoming visits, and faster results.
The real benefit is breaking the cycle. Instead of dragging things out over months or years, you can handle it all at once and move forward with a clean slate.
Will I be judged for avoiding the dentist for so long?
Not in the right environment. A truly patient-centered practice doesn’t focus on how long it’s been, they focus on what you need now. No lectures, no guilt, just solutions and support.
The benefit here is emotional relief. When you don’t feel judged, you’re more open, more comfortable, and far more likely to stay consistent with your care moving forward.