5 Ways Dental and Oral Surgery Practices Can Support Anxious Patients

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Dental anxiety is more common than many realize. Plus, it’s one of the leading reasons patients delay or avoid essential care. For dentists and oral surgeons, helping patients feel safe, informed, and respected can be just as important as the procedures themselves. Fortunately, there are simple, effective ways to support patients in overcoming their fear of the dentist or oral surgery, and it all starts with trust, transparency, and communication.

Why dental anxiety happens

Dental fear can stem from many sources:

• A previous painful or traumatic experience
• Fear of needles, drills, or the unknown
• Sensory sensitivities (lights, sounds, smells)
• Embarrassment about oral health
• Feeling a lack of control during treatment

Whatever the reason, anxiety often creates a vicious cycle: the longer patients delay care, the more serious their dental issues can become. Of course, this in turn can lead to an increase in dental anxiety and fear.

As dental professionals, breaking this cycle begins long before the patient sits in the chair.

#1. Use appointment reminders as reassurance, not just logistics

Too often, appointment reminders are treated as administrative tools — simple messages confirming a date and time. But for anxious patients, these reminders can play a much bigger role.

Appointment reminders can reduce uncertainty simply by explaining what to expect. A lot of fear and anxiety, of any kind, is founded in the unknown. By providing your patients with multiple reminders at every touchpoint, it can give them a roadmap that contributes to reassurance. Your practice could take an extra step and include a link to an article or resource on how to overcome dental anxiety in every appointment reminder.

Steps like these can create a big shift in perception. It tells the patient that they’re not just a name on a schedule and  that you care about their comfort and peace of mind.

#2. Address anxieties at consultations

Again, the unknown is scary! For patients scheduled for oral surgery or a complex treatment, the unknown is often the scariest part. In addition to the technical and medical parts of a consultation, this touchpoint gives patients a chance to:

• Ask questions
• Voice concerns
• Meet the provider
• Understand sedation or pain management options

This conversation (supported by a thoughtful appointment reminder confirming the consultation time!) can dramatically reduce pre-procedure anxiety.

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#3. Make your environment more comfortable

Creating a calm, welcoming space can significantly reduce patient anxiety. Simple touches like playing soothing music, offering weighted blankets, or noise-canceling headphones can make a big difference. Allowing patients to bring a friend or family member for support also adds comfort. Be sure to inform patients about these options ahead of time, so that you’re prepared for their visit.

#4. Train staff in empathetic communication

Your front desk staff are the first point of contact. A warm, empathetic tone can set the stage for a positive experience. Train team members to:

• Avoid judgmental language
• Offer choices when possible (e.g., “Would you prefer a morning or afternoon appointment?”)
• Gently guide anxious patients with clear, step-by-step explanations

These small details, especially in face-to-face communication can make a huge difference to an anxious patient, which is one of the many reasons why the front desk staff’s role is so important.

#5. Following up after the appointment

There is, often, no one-time fix for dental anxiety. It’s a journey that your practice will go on with your patients. A follow-up can be important for that reason, providing a book-end to the appointment reminders before the patient came into your practice. Following up after a visit reinforces a sense of care and encourages the patient to share feedback. It builds trust for future appointments. Using a follow-up survey can offer your anxious patients the opportunity to reflect on their experience and provide you with key feedback.

Check out Intiveo’s resources

Intiveo offers a number of free resources to dental and oral surgery practices, including our podcast, The Patient Experience Blueprint. Gain insights from guides, benchmark reports, and more!

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