Overcoming Dental Anxiety in Plantation, Cooper City 

It was two days before I got around to answering the text that reminded me of my appointment. So I began digging into dental anxiety in the Plantation area and jotted down a few quick questions about what can be done at an office and what I can request. Here are some of the answers I found.

You’re not alone 

There are many people who are afraid of the dentist. In a survey of 1003 US adults who are a representative sample of the population. This study was on the front cover of the Journal of the American Dental Association in September 2025. It showed that 73% of adults have some level of fear of going to the dentist and 27% of people fall under the category of severe. So there are a lot of people who are anxious about going to the dentist.

Here’s what a calm dentist office can do

Many dentist offices have things they can do for those who are afraid of going to the dentist. Some have headphones with noise cancelling and allow you to listen to your own music. Many people are afraid of the sound of the drill so this can help. Pillows and blankets can also help as well as sunglasses to help with the bright light above your head. No longer do most offices use putty to take an impression of your mouth. They now have an intraoral scanner which is a wand that will take a picture of your teeth and make an impression. There are some dental procedures that can be done with a laser instead of using a blade to cut into your gums. This can reduce pain and bleeding after your procedure. One thing I found that would help me is if the dentist and staff were willing to slow down and stop if needed.

What you can ask for

You can inform the office that you are anxious when making an appointment. They can make a note in your chart and be prepared when you come in. Have a signal with your dentist that you can use if you need them to stop. You can also ask for a longer appointment or come at a time that isn’t as busy. Try to take slow breaths if that helps you. You can ask about sedation dentistry as well. Laughing gas can help you feel more comfortable during your procedure.

Calm dentist office in Plantation 

My Plantation Dentist with Dr. Heidi Finkelstein DMD has many amenities for those who may be nervous about going to the dentist. They have Bose headphones with noise cancelling and can listen to music of your choice. Pillows and blankets and sunglasses are provided for patients. When making your appointment, you can inform them that you are nervous about going to the dentist. They can text you to confirm your appointment so you don’t have to speak to anyone over the phone. They use iTero digital scanning instead of putting putty in your mouth to take an impression. They also have a laser that can be used to do some procedures on your gums. My Plantation Dentist services Plantation, Cooper City, Davie, Sunrise and Southwest Ranches. If you need to be seen the same day they offer emergency appointments. My Plantation Dentist 333 NW 70th Ave Suite 204 Plantation FL 33317 (954) 584-1030