Dealing with a dismissive dentist can exacerbate dental anxiety, so the first step in managing this issue is finding the right dental professional. Patients should discuss coping strategies with office staff and establish a signal to indicate if they need to take a break during treatment.

Mindfulness techniques can also be beneficial. Patients may find it helpful to practice breathing exercises or body scans while sitting in the dentist's chair. Others might prefer distractions, such as wearing headphones or keeping their hands busy.

It's important for patients to communicate any heightened sensitivity to pain, even with local anesthesia. There’s no need to feel embarrassed about asking questions or expressing fears; this openness is essential for creating a personalized plan to address dental anxiety effectively.

• Relative Analgesia: Commonly known as "laughing gas," relative analgesia involves administering a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a mask. This method acts quickly and wears off rapidly, allowing patients to remain awake but feel relaxed during the procedure.
• Anxiety Medication: Anxiety medication for dental anxiety usually comes in pill form and can be prescribed by either a dentist or a doctor. Patients typically take a single, short-acting dose about an hour before their appointment.
• Conscious Sedation: This type of sedation is delivered intravenously (IV) by a sedation dentist or anesthetist. Patients may enter a light sleep state during the procedure, often referred to as "twilight sedation."
• General Anesthesia: The most intensive form of sedation, general anesthesia is administered through a combination of IV medications and inhaled gases. This method fully puts patients to sleep, requiring pre- and post-operative evaluations.

It’s common for parents to feel dental anxiety on behalf of their children. To help ease their child’s fears, parents should maintain a calm demeanor, as children often pick up on their parents' anxiety. It’s important not to mention that something will hurt or be painful, nor should parents promise rewards for going to the dentist, as this can lead to negative expectations.

While parents should inform their children about upcoming dental appointments, they should avoid overwhelming them with too much detail. Dentists are trained to provide simple, non-threatening explanations. Instead, parents should focus on emphasizing the importance of dental hygiene to their children.