Townsville Dentist The First In Australia To Offer A New Solution For Dental Anxiety
Rachel and Phil caught up with Dr. Johan Kriek to talk about a new solution for those who struggle with dental anxiety! You can listen to the interview below, as well as read all about it!
Dr. Johan Kriek Interview with Rachel and Phil
Around 1 in 6 Australian adults and 1 in 10 children experience dental anxiety and many patients cancel or delay appointments with the dentist because of nervousness and anxiety about their visit.
This poses a significant population health problem because oral health
is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing.
Delaying or avoiding dental treatment results in poorer dental health, pain and can lead to more complex or complicated treatment that could have been prevented with earlier intervention. Studies show that dental anxiety also proves difficult for dental professionals because they may need to spend more time with patients or deal with behavioural issues that cause stress for both patients and dental staff.
Townsville dentist, Dr. Johan Kriek is leading the way in providing a new calming solution that can help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable while in the dental chair. He is the first dentist in Australia to be using DentaCalm weighted blankets that have been specifically designed for dental practices with both adult and child patients. The blankets apply Deep Touch Pressure which sends signals to the brain that cause serotonin to be released. Deep Touch Pressure is a proven technique for reducing
stress and feelings of anxiety. Several studies demonstrate the calming effects of Deep Touch Pressure during dental procedures and Dr. Kriek has received excellent feedback from his 12-month trial of the weighted blankets.
“The blankets have proven themselves in my practice. They are easy to use and are easily disinfected between patients. They’re so popular with patients that I’m now being asked for them if I forget to use them.”
Dr. Kriek has practiced dentistry for over 30 years and in that time, he noticed that while pharmacological strategies like conscious sedation and general anesthetic exist for patients at the higher end of dental phobia, much of the Australian patient population is not catered for because their nervousness and anxiety may not be at a level requiring pharmacology. Additionally, these strategies may not be readily available or affordable to patients.
The answer lies in the Deep Touch Pressure that DentaCalm weighted blankets provide. By providing calming comfort right in the dental chair, dentists can help their patients feel calm and comfortable during dental procedures and more positive and relaxed about their visit to the dentist.
DentaCalm weighted blankets are new to Australia and available for dentists exclusively from Townsville-based company A Peaceful Cover.
“Our weighted blankets help take the stress out of a dental visit for both the patient and the dental professional. We are on a mission to positively impact the oral health outcomes of Australians by equipping dentists with this cost-effective and easy-to-implement solution for their patients. Anything dentists can do to help patients get the oral health treatment they need is incredibly valuable.” says Liz Pohlmann, Founder of A Peaceful Cover.
Ask your dentist if they have DentaCalm weighted blankets at your next visit.
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, product images or to organise an interview, please contact Liz Pohlmann on 0436 294 595 or at info@apeacefulcover.com
Sources ‘Dental fear and anxiety: Information for Dental Practitioners’ (2016) www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/dperu/special/dfa/Dental_Fear_Professional.pdf ‘Effect of Deep Pressure Input on Parasympathetic System in Patients with Wisdom Tooth Surgery’ - Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (2016); ‘Physiological Effects of Deep Touch Pressure on Anxiety Alleviation: The Weighted Blanket Approach’ - Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering (2012); ‘Influence of Adapted Environment on the Anxiety of Medically Treated Children with Developmental Disability’ - The Journal of Pediatrics (2009)