Getting to the Root of Dental Phobia

Survey Shows More than Half of Americans Still Avoid the Dental Chair due to
Fear

CHICAGO, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Fear of the dentist plagues more than 80
percent of American adults, and more than half say fear may keep them from
going to see the dentist, according to a new survey by the American
Association of Endodontists (AAE). Because poor dental care can lead to
serious health problems, the AAE is tackling the issue head on as part of its
third annual Root Canal Awareness Week, which takes place March 29 - April 4.

"There are many misconceptions about dental visits and root canal treatment,
in particular," said Dr. Louis E. Rossman, AAE president. "Root Canal
Awareness Week is aimed at dispelling these long-standing myths and hopefully
reducing anxiety around the procedure. Patients need to understand that root
canals actually relieve tooth pain and are much more comfortable today thanks
to new technology and endodontists' specialized training."

Fear of Pain Rather than Personal Experience Causes Misconceptions
While fear of pain is the top reason adults avoid the dentist, root canal
treatment is the most feared dental procedure, according to the AAE survey. In
fact, adults are as afraid of getting a root canal (54 percent) as they are of
flying on an airplane during a storm (57 percent) and are more fearful of the
procedure than of speaking in public or interviewing for a job (both at 42
percent).

When asked, nearly one-third of adult respondents admitted that their fear of
the dentist is based on hearing about someone else's experience rather than
their own. An ironic situation, since an AAE survey showed most people who
have had root canal treatment performed by a specialist report it actually was
a positiveexperience.

"Dealing with patient fear isn't unique to endodontists, but because of the
root canal's reputation, we have significant experience with anxious
patients," said Dr. Rossman. "Given that poor oral health and tooth loss are
linked to many serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and
diabetes, we are committed to helping people overcome their fears to ensure
they prioritize necessary dental care."

The Importance of Specialist Dental Care
There are specialists in dentistry just as there are specialists in medicine
(such as cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, etc.). To ensure optimal
care, the AAE recommends patients see a specialist who has advanced training
for certain types of complex dental treatment, such as an endodontist for root
canals.

Endodontists are specially trained to perform root canals and typically see
more difficult cases. Because they do the procedure every day, they have
significant experience in helping patients work through their anxiety. They
also have access to superior technology, such as state-of-the-art operating
microscopes, which can help make the procedure more comfortable.

Erich Nitzsche, 48, of North Reading, Mass., had been nervous and apprehensive
of the dentist ever since he had an uncommonly bad experience as a child, and
he was particularly anxious when he was told he needed a root canal. Erich
spoke with his dentist, sought out and was referred to an endodontic
specialist to perform the procedure and realized afterward his fears were
unfounded.

"I felt more confident about having a root canal performed by a specialist,"
said Nitzsche. "My endodontist helped to ease my anxiety by explaining the
procedure in simple terms so I knew what to expect every step of the way. The
actual procedure was painless, which totally eliminated my anxiety."

Tips for Stress-Free Dental Visits
Dental professionals and patients should work together to ensure the patient
is comfortable and prepared for each visit. While there have been advances in
anxiety control, including pharmacological interventions, there also are
simple things patients can do to help ease their fears. The AAE recommends the
following tips for people who are anxious about the dental chair:

-- Ensure Open Communication. At your first appointment, be open and
honest
about your fears. This will help you and your doctor create solutions
to
ease your worries, such as agreeing on a "stop" signal if you
become too anxious and need a short break during a procedure.
-- Ask Questions. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to fully explain
any procedure, even basic cleanings. For root canals or similar
treatments, ask for a brochure explaining the process or have your
dentist refer you to a specialist who can describe each step.
-- Distract Yourself. One in five people say the noises made by dental
instruments frighten them. A simple solution is to bring a portable
music device with headphones to each appointment or ask your dental
professional to play soothing music during the procedure.
-- See a Specialist. A general dentist can perform most of your dental
work, but if you need a more complex procedure such as a root canal,
ask
to be referred to an endodontist, a dental professional with advanced
technology and training.

Root Canal Awareness Week
Sponsored by the AAE, Root Canal Awareness Week provides an opportunity to
dispel long-standing myths about root canal treatment and increase
understanding of the procedure as one that is virtually painless. The week
also seeks to raise awareness of endodontics as a specialty and highlight the
importance of endodontists, the dentists who specialize in root canal
treatment. For more information on local Root Canal Awareness Week activities
or to find an endodontist in your area, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org.

American Association of Endodontists
The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, represents
more than 7,100 members worldwide, including approximately 95 percent of all
eligible endodontists in the United States. The AAE, founded in 1943, is
dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the
highest standard of patient care. For more information, visit the AAE Web site
at www.aae.org.

Contact:
Brianna Huy
Brianna.Huy@Edelman.com
312-297-7432

SOURCE American Association of Endodontists

Brianna Huy, +1-312-297-7432, Brianna.Huy@Edelman.com, for American
Association of Endodontists