Dental Anxiety Is More Common Than You Think
If you’ve ever felt anxious about going to the dentist, you’re absolutely not alone. In fact, dental anxiety is far more common than most people realize. For many, this anxiety is mild, just a subtle sense of unease before an appointment. For others, however, it can be strong enough to delay or avoid care altogether, and ultimately this is what we want to help patients avoid. Whatever the exact nature of your dental anxiety may be, the simple truth is that you shouldn’t be embarrassed about it, and we want you to know that you’ll be welcomed and taken seriously here at Prickly Pear Dental Care.
Dental anxiety manifests itself in a variety of ways, and this is largely because dental visits are so uniquely personal. They involve close physical proximity, unfamiliar sounds and sensations, and sometimes a sense of lost control. And of course, if you add to that mix the fact that all too many patients have had negative dental experiences in the past, it’s easy to see why so many people feel nervous in the dental chair.
Especially because dental anxiety is so common, we don’t view it as something that patients need to “just push through.” Instead, we see it as an important part of the care conversation. Good dentistry isn’t just about technical skill; it’s also about creating an environment where patients feel informed, respected, and at ease. We could give you the “best” treatment ever from a technical perspective, but if it leaves you feeling uneasy about coming back for your next cleaning in six months, then we’re not performing dentistry the way it should be done.
At Prickly Pear Dental Care, this philosophy shapes how we approach every visit. We prioritize clear communication, explain what we’re doing before we do it, and encourage questions at every step. Appointments are paced thoughtfully, with room to slow down when needed, and patients are always encouraged to speak up if something feels uncomfortable.
My approach to care is informed not only by my clinical training and experience, but also by a personal understanding of what anxiety can feel like. This perspective reinforces my commitment to patient-centered care—care that emphasizes consent, transparency, and a sense of control throughout the visit.
What this looks like in practice will vary from patient to patient. For some, it means taking extra time to talk through a procedure. For others, it means checking in frequently or breaking treatment into smaller steps. There’s no single “right” way to experience a dental visit, and we fully believe that care should adapt to the person in the chair, not the other way around.
Once again, if you’ve ever felt nervous about seeing the dentist, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is common and frankly quite understandable, and it’s something that we’re prepared to meet with patience and respect. Our goal is to make dental care feel calm, collaborative, and supportive, so that every patient feels comfortable taking the next step toward improved oral health. We can’t do this without taking dental anxiety seriously, which is why doing so is a cornerstone of the Prickly Pear Dental Care philosophy.