Dental fear is extremely common amongst both kids and adults and it’s a fear that is negatively impacting our health. According to the National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004 – 2006, 43.4% of us only visit the dentist when there is a problem, neglecting important check-ups and cleans.
A lot of this reluctance is the result of fear and combined with less-than-perfect brushing techniques, there is more tooth decay across all age groups than ever before. With the average number of filled teeth per person aged 15 to 34 years being 2.8 and that of persons aged 35-54 being 9.6, it’s clear we need to be looking after our teeth more to prevent further damage.
Associate Professor Wendell Evans says, “People fear their dentist despite the profession being ranked as one of Australia’s most ethical, honest and trustworthy groups.” A big part of this fear is, of course, the drill. Professor Evans is dedicated to making this fear a thing of the past and has developed the Caries Management System protocols (CMSP), a system that could see the end of the dentist’s drill.
The trial has seen outstanding results with a 40 percent reduction in the incidence of decay, an almost 50 percent decline in the need for first-time fillings, and more than 50 percent reduction in the number of repeat fillings, even in high-risk patients. Evans says, ““If patients conform to a timely dental care regimen tailored to their risk status, we can reverse the decay.”
Now, a ‘no drill clinic’ is set to open early next year in the Westmead Centre for Oral Health and trainee dentists will be delivering ‘no drill’ dental care to patients as part of their clinical training.
Professor Christopher Peck, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, says, “Our ambition is to reverse the rate of dental decay in Australia and keep the incidence to minimal levels for future generations. By training our future dentists on how to work with their patients using tooth brushing coaching sessions and a program of motivational interviewing, we hope to instil a life-long commitment to oral hygiene for our patients.”
Do you fear the dentist? Would you be more likely to visit the dentist if there were no drills involved?
