Expert answers
We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.
I have an extreme phobia of needles
I have an extreme needle phobia and I simply can’t be even in a room with a needle in it. Is it possible to get gas and air in the UK?
Yes its possible to get gas and air in this country . Its used to get the patient into a state of altered consciousness so that they can then accept having the local anaesthetic , but its not a full general anaesthetic as it was when I first qualified . Its called Relative Analgesia . . You will need to search around on the Internet for a dentist who is trained to do this
It can be used in a hospital setting so that the patient can have an injection in the arm to be fully asleep .
Some dental hospitals such as Guys have a Health Psychology Service for people such as yourselves , where the needle phobia is preventing you getting needed treatment .
Your dr should be able to refer you to a local psychology service for CBT , or hypnosis is worth a try .
Hope this helps
Jenny
