Research has shown that 30 to 40 million Americans avoid the dentist entirely because of dental anxiety. The number is even larger if you consider all those who are able to go to the dentist but then experience some degree of anxiety during their dental visits. At Smile Cabarrus we are always looking for new, innovative ways to ensure that our dental patients, adults and children, have the best dental experience possible!
ATKINS provides Deep Pressure Therapy for our adult and pediatric patients. This is achieved when she is positioned in the chair with the patient during their dental procedure. Deep Pressure Therapy is proven to lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure and mitigate the symptoms of anxiety. If patients prefer not to have her in the chair but believe her presence will improve their dental experience she can still be in the room with them during their appointment.
Our pediatric patients love her! ATKINS walks them back to the dental chair, and then she will model how to have their teeth examined. She jumps up in the chair, gets her own patient napkin and has her teeth checked with a mirror. At the end of the appointment ATKINS loves to show off some of her fun commands like fist bump, turn, wave and roll! She even has a special basket that she uses to bring them their toothbrush!