the College of dentists and stomatologists of Madrid organized a course for fear of the dentist

is a pioneering initiative aimed at patients

-fear the dentist – who is known as odontofobia ”-is one of the causes why they delay or prevent visits to the dentist

-a team of psychologists will offer guidance patients and perform practical exercises for controlling this phobia

-the people who wish to attend this course may do so free of charge – places are limited – calling 91 561 29 05

Madrid, November of 2012- the College of dentists and stomatologists of Madrid (COEM) launches a pioneering initiative directed to patients to help them lose their fear of the dentista phobia that causes sometimes will delay or prevent visits to the dentist, with the impact on oral health that this entails. It is the first time that was offered a course of these features in this area, although in others, as in the case of fear to fly, there are previous experiences.

In our day to day we find many situations of patients who have genuine phobia, that interferes with the patient care at that time and also on long-term oral health, because they are people that hard to follow its usual revisions ”, notes Dr. Ramon Soto-Yarritu, President of the COEM. From the COEM want to help overcome those barriers as a way to improve patient care and also encourage the annual review as the best way of preventing more serious problems ”, adds.

A team of psychologists will be you responsible for delivering this course, which will take place on Tuesday 27 November, 17: 00 h to 20: 00 h, at the headquarters of the COEM (C/Vitruvio, 32). Patients who wish to attend this course, can sign up for free calling 91 561 29 05.

How to help control the phobia to the dentist

For Mariana Segura Gálvez, psychologist, Director of the common space center, Professor of Center for negotiation and mediation of IE, and founder of the first Spanish Association of behavior therapy (A.E.T.CO) fear of the dentist is very common and generates in people who suffer high levels of anxiety and a progressive avoidance behaviorwhich leads them to give up their preventative habits, and to go to the dentist only when pain or dental problems are extreme. For this reason, it is necessary that all learn resources to decrease fear and thus consolidate our health and self-care habits ”.

She is responsible for teaching this course, along with psychologist Diego Delgado Agüera, responsible for formation of the joint space centre and prevention expert in control of stress and other psychosocial risks. Both will offer patients a few theoretical guidelines and some practical exercises with them.

There are tools that can help the person to control that phobia, to relax and to improve his attitude before the dentist. During the course we will work, inter alia, different techniques of homing, relaxation, attentional control and thought with attendees ”, said this specialist.

About the COEM

The College of odontologists and stomatologists of the 1st Region (COEM), founded in 1930, is a corporation of public law with its own legal personality and full capacity for the fulfilment of their purposes, which is governed by the law of professional associations and their own statutes. The territorial scope of the College comprises the provinces of Ávila, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo and Madrid community. Since 1981 it has its offices in number 32 of the Vitruvio Street, in Madrid. It currently has more than 7,000 members.