lesson 9 relaxation techniques · welcome to lesson 9: anxiety and relaxation techniques of the...

The following presentation was originally developed for individuals and families by Achieva (a Western PA service provider). Now offered as a webcast production, ODP is providing this valuable resource to Supports Coordinators and SC Supervisors for professional development. In order to receive credit for completing this course, you need to complete all course requirements and print the certificate of achievement.

1Course #: 2012‐09‐18

Lesson 9 – Anxiety and Relaxation Techniques

Welcome to Lesson 9: Anxiety and Relaxation Techniques of the Dental Health for Individuals with Disabilities webcast series.

Please adjust your computer volume so that it is at a comfortable listening level for you.

2Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Some people have difficulty going to the dentist because they are afraid of what will happen. Sometimes they are afraid of pain. Others are afraid that something will be wrong. These kinds of fears or anxiety are common when visiting the dentist. There are a lot of ways to be more comfortable at the dentist. This lesson will teach you some of them so that you can have successful dental visits.

3Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Some people have difficulty going to their dentist for fear of pain, or for fear of finding something seriously wrong. Desensitization, relaxation, and medication are three ways to decrease anxiety at the dentist office. Each of these can work well to reduce anxiety.

Desensitization works by having a person do just a little at a time. Starting with something as little as a visit to the dentist office, then they can try the chair, the light with sunglasses. It may take a few trips to make them feel comfortable enough to stay. Then the person can learn to be calm with increasing amounts of the stressor until the situation doesn’t make them anxious anymore.

Relaxation techniques can also relieve anxiety. These work by decreasing your body’s response to the fear. This makes you more comfortable in a situation that causes anxiety like the dental office.

If desensitization and relaxation don’t work, then there are medications that can help make anxiety better. Each of these strategies can be combined and may help to decrease anxiety during the dental visit.

4Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Anxiety Reduction: Anxiety and fear are common feelings people experience while at the dentist office. While some people take medications to help reduce anxiety, you may want try alternative approaches. Consider discussing the approaches that you find helpful with your dentist.

5Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Feeling afraid or nervous about going to the dentist is common. Many people have the same feelings. One way to feel less nervous is to use some approaches that are called relaxation. These are activities or things to think about while you are in a scary situation to help you get through it.

The first thing to remember is that it is okay to feel nervous and it is also okay to tell the dentist and the staff in the office that you are nervous. They may have some ways to help you feel less nervous, but they may not offer them unless they know that you are nervous. So, here are some ways that you can feel less nervous.

There are some easy relaxation techniques. These include things like taking deep breaths or counting to 10. Listening to music using headphones can also help. Some dentist offices have television right in the rooms and you can sometimes watch a show that you like.

If those don’t work, then there are some other relaxation techniques that take a little more practice. These include visualization where you think about something or somewhere nice that you like. This could be something like sitting by a pool or pond, walking in the forest, or watching a campfire. You could do this right in the office, but probably need to practice it before you go.

Another technique that you could do before you go or perhaps in the waiting room is called creative expression. Activities like knitting or drawing could be done in the waiting room. Other activities could be done before going to the dentist office like yoga, dance, singing, etc.

Sensory relaxation can also help relieve anxiety. Lavender is a common herb which has a smell that relaxes people. A warm bath or brushing your hair might be relaxing before going to the dentist office. Putting on hand cream can also be relaxing. You also might have something that you like the feel of and could carry that with you and rub it. Rubbing small smooth stones or fuzzy key chains can also be relaxing.

6Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Desensitization is another way to feel more comfortable going to the dentist. Sometimes people link a place with a feeling of nervousness. This can make it hard to walk into the place and even harder to stay for a period of time. Spending some time in that place when nothing is going to happen can help make it easier. This is called desensitization.

There are a number of ways that you can do this. You can take a tour of the office to see where things are. This way you can look at all of the equipment and maybe even hear the sounds that it makes knowing that it is just a sound. Sitting in the chair can help. Touching or holding the equipment can also help. This can help identify what might bother you, like bright lights. It also might help solve a problem like how to get into the chair which will make your upcoming appointment for care better. One tool that you might use is a virtual tour of a dentist office which shows and describes a typical office.

7Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Sometimes the dentist or your doctor may order medication to help you relax during your appointment. However, there are some things you can try before taking medication to reassure you everything will be fine and to keep you calm include:• Always ask the office if they have sufficient staff to assist. • Make the appointment first thing in the morning to decrease wait time.• Ask the office staff to explain and demonstrate each piece of equipment before it is

used.• Ask for support to help your visit, explain your needs including communication,

including gestures, verbal and nonverbal requests.• Ask to be spoken to directly.

The dentist or hygienist may also:• Praise you each step in the treatment for your cooperation with the procedure.• Use de‐escalation procedures when necessary to help reduce behaviors to make sure

you are safe in the environment.• Redirect your attention to the music, talk to you or talk about something you enjoy, such

as your favorite vacation place, hobby or activity.

If you have tried all these different strategies and they have not worked, medication may help.

8Course #: 2012‐09‐18


If you have tried all of the previously mentioned strategies and they have not worked, medication may help. Talk to your dentist first. The goal of medication is the least possible type to achieve the desired result. That may be as simple as an oral anti‐anxiety medication like Ativan. The medication is usually taken at home before the visit. These medications are very helpful, but they decrease level of alertness, especially in someone who is older or is already receiving many medications. Effects of the medication can last longer than expected with some people. The effects might even be delayed, or these medications make the person less alert, so remember these tips:

• Stay close to the person and assist with walking.

• Make sure the person is alert before giving them any food or liquid—especially with a swallowing disorder.

• Be sure family or staff at the home are aware that medication was taken.

• Someone should accompany you and drive you to your appointment. If medication by mouth doesn’t work, then you may want to review the levels of care and see if you fit into a different level.

Sometimes use of medication to ease anxiety is misunderstood as a chemical restraint. This is not a chemical restraint and is used only for this dental visit. If the medication does not relax you, let the doctor know so he or she can order a different type or increase the dose for the next appointment.Also, if there are problems with cooperation for dental treatment you should talk to your primary care physician and let him or her evaluate you.

9Course #: 2012‐09‐18


There are a lot of strategies to use to help you feel less nervous at the dentist. Don’t forget that some of them work better with practice at home or by preparing in advance of the appointment. Once you’ve learned relaxation techniques or done some desensitization you may find that those will work in other situations too!

10Course #: 2012‐09‐18


Thank you for viewing this webcast.

11Course #: 2012‐09‐18


lesson 9 relaxation techniques · welcome to lesson 9: anxiety and relaxation techniques of the...

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