Dental Anxiety Management Techniques

Do you have dental anxiety or fear? Dr Mike Gow’s success in helping anxious dental patients is certainly partly to do with the flexibility and range of the techniques, skills and services in which he has experience and can offer, but it is also his genuine, caring attitude and his friendly but professional nature.

Your first visit to The Berkeley Clinic in Glasgow gives you the opportunity to meet Mike and decide if he is the right person to help you. It is also an opportunity to discuss what approach or combination of approaches may be best for you. Sometimes patients will specifically request a certain approach, while other times, Dr Gow may suggest an approach based on any information you have sent him or that is discussed. If you haven’t yet read the section of this website about what to expect at your first visit, please do so now by clicking here.

Over the years Dr Mike Gow has trained extensively in order to fully understand dental fear and phobia and be able to offer a wide spectrum of management techniques and services. His training and understanding in psychological and behavioural techniques such as Hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and NeuroLinguistic Programming mean that he understands the cause and nature of dental fear and phobia and can then work with you to find the best solution to help you overcome it.

What is Dental Hypnosis?

Dr Mike Gow is one of the most experienced dental hypnotists in the country. Hypnosis can essentially help a person change their perceptions, feelings, thinking and behaviour by concentrating on specific ideas and images. The changes experienced during hypnosis often feel effortless and are designed to help re-establish a sense of control and confidence. Dr Mike Gow undertakes dental hypnosis on BBC Horizon documentary programme 'The Power of Placebo'. Where he is extracting wisdom teeth with no local anaesthetic just dental hypnosis.

People can and do experience natural ‘light hypnosis’ spontaneously every day, for example as they drift off to sleep, or when lost in thought or daydreaming, absorption in sport, reading, listening to music etc, driving for long distances and not recalling the route taken, being absorbed in meditation/relaxation procedures. Often in these examples, there will time distortion in that the passage of time is underestimated. Clinical hypnotic procedures formalise this process, intensify it and utilise it.

What is Conscious Sedation?

Dr Gow has also trained in a range of Conscious Sedation techniques. Sedation is widely used as a means of reducing anxiety during dental procedures. It is essentially a technique when the use of a drug or drugs produces a state of relaxation without the loss of consciousness. If you are interested in Conscious Sedation, an assessment could be easily carried out when you first meet Dr Mike to see if it would be suitable. There are three main types of conscious sedation available from Dr Mike Gow at The Berkeley Clinic: Inhalation, Intravenous and Oral. Watch a video below about the key benefits of Inhalation Sedation.

What is Inhalation Sedation?

Inhalation Sedation is the use of a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen which is breathed via a nasal hood. As the sedative does not stay in your system, it is usually possible to have it during your appointment without the need for you to bring an escort to help you home.

What is Intravenous Sedation?

Intravenous Sedation is a reliable and effective means of producing sedation. Midazolam is the most common drug used and it is given via a cannula which is placed either on the back of the hand or arm. Often there is a degree of amnesia about parts of the treatment.

What is Oral Sedation?

Oral Sedation is similar to Intravenous Sedation except that it is given as a drink (usually mixed with orange) rather than via a cannula. This is beneficial for people with extreme needle phobia (although often a cannula will still be placed after the sedation is working). Oral sedation takes longer to take effect than intravenous sedation, and in some cases may produce a lighter depth of sedation. With intravenous and oral sedation it is essential that you have someone (over 18 years of age) who can escort you home after your appointment, and stay with you for at least 12 hours.