Are you afraid of the dentist?

It might be the oldest form of anesthetic out there. Hypnosis, not just meant for entertainment, can help alleviate a lot of pain and anxiety when it comes to visiting a dental office.

David Kelner, a practising dentist and associate clinical professor at the School of Dentistry, offers it to his patients. He is a certified hypnotherapist and serves as the educational chair for the Canadian Federation of Clinical Hypnosis — national body and Alberta Division.

“There’s a misconception about hypnosis that people will say and do things they don’t want to, but it’s not true,” says Kelner. “In dentistry, hypnosis is a very effective evidence-based adjunctive procedure for
anxiety and pain control.”

According to him, modern medicine is slowly starting to integrate hypnosis as a modality into patient treatment. “Hypnosis helps those patients who are extremely apprehensive about having any kind of dental treatment.”

While under hypnosis, the patient is in an induced state of heightened consciousness and they become highly responsive to therapeutic suggestions. This means escaping the fear that comes from dental procedures is possible.

Kelner, who’s been a practising certified hypnotherapist for 20 years, says on average it takes two to three appointments for routine dental procedures. Rapid induction can also be obtained for immediate pain or anxiety control as well.

“Hypnosis acts on the brain’s emotions. It’s the body that must be treated so the mind can go anywhere,” he says. “I’ve had patients who are afraid of having their teeth cleaned, needles, any type of dental work done.”

Kelner says he’s helped many patients overcome these fears.

“I have many patients who are now comfortable enough and more willing to come back for follow-up
appointments,” he says. “Every patient is different, and hypnosis isn’t for everyone. We demonstrate to our dental students that hypnosis is available as an option.”