Worried about going to the dentist? Hypnosis might help.

Hypnosis is a mind-body technique that induces a state of deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility, and one option which may work to alleviate dental anxiety. ²

Health Partners Dental has introduced Hypnotherapy as a service to their patients. The Hypnotherapy will be performed by a Health Partners Dentist who is trained and certified in this service. Hypnosis is an alternate option to managing dental anxiety, compared to happy gas or muscle relaxation. Hypnotherapy is a non-invasive and drug-free approach, with no side effects.

Hypnosis and dental treatment

You may not realise it, but we all experience moments of hypnosis throughout the day.²

“For example, how many times do you arrive home without remembering the journey or daydream whilst at work?” says Manjiri Malandris, Dentist at Health Partners. “The mind in hypnosis tends to drop its critical or logical patterns and in this heightened state, you are more likely to be accepting of suggestions. We can use this state to make dental procedures more efficient and comfortable” says Manjiri.

Some of the reasons people use hypnosis to assist with dental treatment include:

• Needle phobia
• Distraction during a long procedure
• To increase comfort to assist in anxiety control
• To increase saliva production
• To stop smoking
• Other applications, which can be discussed on a case by case basis

Effectiveness of hypnosis

While hypnosis is generally safe and effective, it is important to realise that it may not be suitable for all patients. It is important that you are invested in the change you are looking to make.

I’m ready to try it – what now?

If you are interested in hypnosis or want to find out more, please call Health Partners on 1300 114 114. You will then receive a call from a Health Partners Dentist who is trained in hypnotherapy to determine your needs and see if you are a suitable candidate.

The hypnosis will be carried out in a separate session from your dental appointment. Repeat sessions may be required and often your dental appointment will be carried out immediately after the hypnosis session. This can be determined on a case-by-case basis.

^[1] National Library of Medicine, Pub Med, 2021, Role of Hypnosis in Dental Treatment: A Narrative Review, retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8118047/

^[2] Nature, 2021, Re-introducing hypnosis to the dental profession: an evidence-based approach, retrieved from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41407-021-0529-8