Aiming for Zero People Who Limit Their Lives Due to Fear of Dentists

Our clinic endorses "April Dream," an initiative to make April 1st a day for announcing dreams. This press release outlines the dream of "Sakura Hyakka Dental Clinic for those afraid of dentists."

It's not uncommon for people to feel "scared of the dentist" or "uncomfortable with the dentist." This state of strong anxiety and fear towards dental visits is generally called "dental phobia," but it is by no means special; it is a natural emotional response that can occur in many people.

Behind this are various complex psychological and social factors, such as past dental treatment experiences, the medical environment, sensory stimuli like sounds, smells, and pain during treatment, as well as shame, anxiety about losing control, and traumatic experiences.

"I know I need to go, but I can't" – as a result, there are many cases where this leads to worsening symptoms and impacts overall health.

It is estimated that about 14 million people in Japan suffer from dental phobia, which accounts for approximately one in nine people. We view this not as an individual problem, but as a "social health issue hindering early treatment."

Our Clinic's Dream

Our clinic opened in 2020 as a specialized clinic for those with strong fear or aversion to dentistry. Currently, we are seeing an increasing number of patients from outside the city and prefecture, becoming a place where people who "couldn't go to the dentist for years" can take the first step.

Our dream is to eliminate people whose lives are limited by the reason "I'm scared of the dentist."

We want to create a society where those who had given up a part of their lives due to dental fear can once again regain a "normal daily life where they can smile without worrying about their teeth."

Our Clinic's Approach

To achieve this, our clinic not only provides treatment but also emphasizes a medical system that prioritizes "creating an environment where patients can visit with peace of mind."

With the motto "Touch the heart before touching the teeth," we carefully listen to our patients' stories and value their psychological sense of security. We have a dental psychological counselor on staff, and we always set aside time for counseling during the first visit.

We understand the background of the fear and anxiety that patients have felt so far and work together to design a treatment plan that suits each individual. Instead of immediately starting treatment, we prioritize "getting used to the dental environment first."

Furthermore, during treatment, we thoroughly implement patient care based on dental psychology (※), including verbal communication, explanation methods, and pacing of treatment. By repeatedly providing prior explanations and carefully forming agreements, we create an environment where patients can receive treatment without feeling anxious about "not knowing what will be done." A significant achievement is when patients feel, "I can continue coming here."

In fact, there has been an increasing number of cases where people who "couldn't go to the dentist for over 40 years" have resumed dental visits after counseling at our clinic.

※ "Dental psychology" refers to the concept of understanding the anxiety, tension, and resistance caused by sensory stimuli such as sounds, smells, and pain received at a dental clinic, and providing care that considers these psychological aspects. Our clinic incorporates this perspective throughout our practice to enhance patients' psychological safety and reduce their psychological burden.

Making dental clinics "easy to visit places"

For dental clinics to become not special places, but places where everyone can visit with peace of mind.

This will enable those who have hesitated to seek treatment to take the first step.

As a result, we believe it will lead to the prevention of severe conditions and early treatment, contributing to the overall health promotion of society.