For many people, just hearing the word “dentist” can make their heart race. In fact, the American Dental Association notes that about 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. avoid the dentist because of fear or anxiety—a condition often referred to as dentophobia or dental phobia. This isn’t just a case of being “a little nervous.” Dentophobia is real and can can trigger intense anxiety, panic, and even physical symptoms like sweating or nausea at the thought of sitting in the dental chair. For some, the fear is so strong it leads to complete avoidance of care, which only makes oral health issues worse over time.
At White32 Dental, we recognize how serious dentophobia can be, and we’ve built our practice around easing those fears. Our focus is on creating an environment where patients feel safe, respected, and fully supported every step of the way. Recently, Dr. Charles White and one of our patients, Adrienne, joined Great Day Washington on WUSA9 to share her story of overcoming dentophobia—and how the right approach to care can truly transform a patient’s experience
Why does dental anxiety happen?
Have you ever felt your stomach twist just thinking about a dental appointment? You’re not alone!
As Dr. White explained during his interview, fear of the dentist is actually natural:
“Our bodies are biologically designed to be afraid of things coming close to our face and inside of our mouth. Unfortunately, a lot of people also feel shame and embarrassment, which makes it harder to come in.” – Dr. Charles White, DDS
Some of the most common reasons include:
● A past negative dental experience
● Fear of pain or needles
● Worry about being judged
● Feeling vulnerable or out of control in the chair
Do any of these sound familiar? If so, know this: you’re not stuck. With the right approach, patients can break through these barriers—Adrienne is living proof.
Adrienne’s Story: A Fresh Start
Adrienne avoided the dentist for years because of fear—until severe pain forced her to finally make the call.
“It started with the first phone call. Before I ever even got in the chair, the environment was so welcoming and calming. I felt comfortable right away.” – Adrienne
What stood out most was how much time Dr. White spent walking her through each step:
“He explained everything before he ever did anything—even drawing things out on a white board. He made sure I understood every step, and that really made the difference.”
Today, Adrienne says she’s now overcome herfear entirely:
“Makethe call. You’ll be glad you did.”
Wouldn’t it be amazing to go from dreadingdental care to actually feeling calm and confident in the chair? Adrienne’sstory shows it’s possible.
How White32 Dental helps patientswith anxiety
So, how do we make patients feel atease—especially those who’ve avoided care for years? At our Northwest DCoffice, we’ve built a comfort-first philosophy designed around you.
That means:
● Judgment-free care — We’re not here to lecture or make you feelbad about the past, we know life can get crazy. Our focus is helping you moveforward and feel good about your oral health.
● Clear communication — We take the time toexplain things in a way that makes sense and check in often to be sure you feelcomfortable. You’ll always know what’s happening and never be left withsurprises.
● A supportive team — We know what that fear islike so we want you to feel cared for. Before your visit, we’ll ask if there’sanything we can do to make you more comfortable—whether that’s a blanket,headphones, or just knowing you’ll have a little extra time. And after yourappointment, we’ll give you a quick call to see how you’re feeling and answerany lingering questions. You’re never on this journey alone!
● Comfort options — We’ve designed our office with little touches to help you feel at home. Cozy blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and a calm, welcoming space all add up to a visit that feels more like a breath of relief than a source of stress.
Our Comfort Menu
Our team created a comfort menu to help patients relax. Think of it as your personal set of calming tools! We ourselves have all been patients, so we brainstormed what we would want for ourselves, our family members and our best friends. This is what we came up with:
● Something to sip: Coffee, water, and calming teas
● Cozy extras: Blanket, pillow, or neck pillow for extra support
● Relax & recharge: Noise-cancelling headphones, phone chargers, or an eye mask to take a break from the lights
● Freshen up: Lip balm, face wipes, or an energizing eye mask to feel more like you are at a spa than the dental office!
● Stay entertained: Noise cancelling headphones with entertainment options
You pick what makes you feel most at ease—we’ll take care of the rest!
As Dr. White puts it: “We’re not here to wag our fingers at you. We’re here to say: how can we make this better for you?”
Quick Tips to Ease Dental Anxiety
Still feeling nervous? Here are some simple strategies you can try before your next appointment:
● Tell your dental team: Let us know about your fears so we can support you.
● Bring a buddy: Having a friend or family member with you can ease nerves.
● Practice breathing techniques: Deep breathing or meditation can calm your body before treatment.
● Schedule morning appointments: Coming in earlyin the day can prevent anxious thoughts from building up.
● Start small: Even a quick cleaning orconsultation can help you build confidence over time.
Don’t let fear hold your smile back!
What would it feel like to walk into the dentist and actually feel calm, cared for, and understood? That’s exactly what we aim to provide at White32 Dental. With the right team and the right support, dental anxiety doesn’t have to control your oral health.
Adrienne’s story is proof—you can do this too!