Dental anxiety is real, and it affects children and adults of all ages. While the most common reasons for this often include a sensitive gag reflex, the inability to sit still, or a dislike of the sights and sounds inside a dentist’s office, another reason keeps patients from seeking dental care – the media. Find out how the portrayal of dentists in movies and TV instills fear, and ways you can achieve greater comfort and confidence when meeting with your oral healthcare professional.
How Are Dentists Negatively Portrayed in the Media?
When a scene in a movie or TV show includes someone visiting the dentist, it’s usually not a positive experience. The reason isn’t likely to be that the patient is to blame, but instead, the dentist is some kind of sadistic, cold, or incompetent individual who makes the experience less than enjoyable. A few examples include:
- Little Shop of Horrors – Steven Martin is a dentist who enjoys inflicting pain on his patients.
- Marathon Man – A man is tortured by a dentist who was a Nazi war criminal, but is in the U.S. attempting to sell stolen diamonds from those killed during the Holocaust.
- The Whole Nine Yards – An incompetent dentist is on the run from the mob.
- Abbott and Costello – An episode titled “The Dentist’s Office” featured a character who played a near-sighted dentist, leaving the patient uncertain about the treatment he needed for his toothache.
Why Dentists Should Be Viewed as Your Friend, Not Your Foe
Dentists spend years in school becoming educated and professionally trained to address a wide range of oral health issues, in addition to better understanding how the mouth and body are closely connected.
When visiting your dentist for a checkup, cleaning, or another more extensive form of treatment, you can rely on them to provide the highest level of service and care. They are an ally who will help you attain a healthier and longer-lasting smile that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.
Many dentists even go the extra mile to make these visits more enjoyable by offering comfort amenities and dental sedation. This not only curbs anxiety but also gives you the chance to experience complete relaxation while receiving essential dental care.
There is no reason to fear a visit to the dentist’s office. Turn off the TV or movie, and don’t allow false portrayals to keep you from getting the oral healthcare you need.
About the Practice
At Westgate Dental Care, we try to exceed each patient’s expectations. Not only do we aim to deliver beautiful results, but we also believe in helping all individuals feel more comfortable and at ease while in our office. This is why we provide sedation dentistry in the form of nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. If you would like to learn whether any of these options is right for you, visit our website or call (847) 908-3684 to schedule an appointment.