Metro Dentist

Dr. Mansky’s Simple Five Minute Dental Anxiety Cure

Practically speaking, anxiety is a problem because it creates physical discomfort.  Most anxious dental patients feel a knot in the stomach, chest, head or hands.  When the dentist elicits that a patient is anxious, coaching the patient in the following seven-step exercise (in the dental chair) successfully gives even the most anxious patient control over the physical discomfort caused by anxiety.

1.      “We are going to do a short exercise to eliminate anxiety.  You will also be able to control any anxiety you feel now and in the future.  I will ask you to do certain things and after you complete each one let me know so I can give you the next thing to do.  Is that O.K.?”

2.      “Dental anxiety generally causes discomfort in the stomach, chest, head, shoulders, or the hands or arms. Close your eyes.  Travel inside your body with your mind and find the area that feels uncomfortable. When you find the area, use your hands to show me how large the area is.  Good.  Now notice that because the discomfort is mainly in one area, this area feels different and is separate from the rest of your body.”

3.      “At this point, think of the degree of discomfort you are feeling as a ‘10’ on a scale of ‘0 to 10’ with ‘10’ being the worst.  This awareness will allow you to know how well you are doing.  For example, if it gets to a ‘5’, it will mean you are doing better.”

4.      “Because the area feels isolated, be aware that it has a shape and a wall around it that separates it from the surrounding area.  Explore it with your mind.  Now tell me if it is round, oval, or square? How deep does the area go?  Does it go all the way to your back?  Halfway?  Or is it just on the surface?  Does it feel solid, mushy or fluttery? “

5.      “Now that you are familiar with the area, you can manipulate it.  Open up the surrounding wall and let it spread out into a wider area.”  (Note: This is generally easy for people to do but in some cases it may take some effort.  It is my experience that almost everyone can do this.  If the person is finding it difficult just ask them to keep trying because it is really worth it.)  “When successful, and I know you can do it, let me know how it is on a scale of 1 to 10.”  (Most likely the patient will tell you it is either a 7 or an 8.)   

6.      “Now make the area smaller, about the size of a Ping-Pong ball.”  (After the patient indicates this is done then say)  “Now move it up or down or to either side.  To move the ball, open up a space above it or below it.  Move the ball into this space.  How does it feel on a scale of 1 to 10?  You are getting control over your discomfort.  In only a few more moments, you will have complete control.” 

7.      “Open a pathway ‘like the Red Seaparting’ from where discomfort is to your throat.  Move the ball to your throat.  Now take a deep breath and blow the ball out through your mouth.  Where are you now on a scale of 0 – 10?  If there any left you now know how to get rid of it.  It’s a crummy feeling, so take another deep breath and blow out the rest of it.”

At this point, even from the most anxious patients is relaxed and ready for treatment. 

Our lives are frequently stressful and pressure-driven.  Having a tool that gives us control over anxiety is very valuable.  It can eliminate the roadblocks to success we often set up to prevent ourselves from feeling anxious moments.

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¹ P. Doerr, W. Lang,  L. Nyquist, D. Ronis  Factors Associated with Dental Anxiety.

 JADA 1998; 129:1111-19

² M. Mansky, DDS,  A Question about Those Connections. Dental Economics. August 1998: 88(8) 65-67

³ L. Lefer, DDS, MD.Personal Communication October 1967

⁴ Locker D, Liddell AM. Correlates of dental anxiety among older adults. J Dent Res 1991; 70(3):198-203

⁵ C.  Jepsen, DDS  Behavioral Foundations of Dental Practice. Clinical Dentistry; Vol. 5, Chapter 23:1-18

Dr. Marvin Mansky has long been interested in understanding dentist/patient relationships.  His seminars, articles, and audio tapes present easy to learn techniques to simplify the complex interactions characterizing the dentist-patient exchange.  It is his belief that connecting with patients by understanding what they think and feel is essential for building a strong, private, fee-for-service practice.  His seminars are interactive and participants can immediately incorporate techniques for improving dentist-patient relationships in their dental practices.  Dr. Mansky can be reached at 888-808-8997, via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his websites at www.personaldentistry.com .