Top 10 Tips to Overcome Your Fear of a Dental Visit

Top 10 Tips to Overcome Your Fear of a Dental Visit


1. Recognize your fear
That is the start to being able to take steps to overcome your fear
2. Trace your fear
Try to discover why you have a fear of going to the dentist. Was it a negative previous experience at a dentist's? Is it a general fear of medical treatment?
3. Know you are not alone.
Numbers of what percentage of the US population is afraid of going to the dentist varies but it is significant.
4. Know that Dentistry has come a long way.
 Now, visits are virtually painless due to improved technology, early diagnosis of conditions and decades of emphasis of preventive care and regular 6 month checkups.
5. Research dentists
Ask friends and family about their dentist and find out if the office sounds like it could work with you to create a positive and comfortable experience.
6. Spend time talking to the staff
When you call an office, see how much time the staff spends listening to you. Get a sense of how compassionate they sound.
7. Make an appointment to visit the office
Instead of scheduling a treatment visit, ask to come in to meet with the dentist and the team. That will give you an opportunity to ask questions and help you get familiar with the office and their protocols. This will reduce stress at subsequent visits
8. Start slow
Go for short appointments/preventive care/minor procedures in the beginning. It will help build trust and tolerance; both these factors will decrease anxiety
9. Take your headphones with you
If you have a playlist that helps you relax, take your head phones with you so you can 'just let go' while in the chair
10. Consider anti anxiety medication
After a thorough discussion with your dentist, she/he may suggest prescribing a low dose of an anti anxiety medication for your first few visits so you can get comfortable with being in the office and dental chair. This will in many cases be enough to get past your fears and take you to the point where it is not necessary.


The most important thing to do is communicate honestly and openly about your fear and anxiety about dental visits with your dentist. A competent and compassionate team is well equipped to help you through the process of receiving oral health care and actually get you excited about your visits with them.

We have seen that happen first hand with many of our patients and it gives us a sense of great accomplishment when we see them smile and enjoy all the benefits that go along with a healthy life style.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us. It would be our pleasure to help you receive the care you deserve.

Be well, Do well, Live well
Until next time,
Sunita Merriman, DDS

The world's most famous smile

Leonardo da Vinci probably had no idea that his painting La Gioconda or the Mona Lisa would be the topic of so much discussion, debate and intrigue in regards to the subject's smile. It is without doubt the world's most famous smile.

But is it the world's most important smile?

I have enjoyed the Mona Lisa immensely but feel that the most important smile in the world is your own.

In my many years of being a dentist, I have discovered that every single patient of mine has a distinct outlook on their smile. Their feelings about their smile are unique to them. But the fact remains that the most important smile in the world is our own.

Our smile is our calling card and one of the most powerful ways with which we engage with others. When we feel great about our smile, we are quick to share it and connect with another human being or with a group of people. The benefits of that connection go well beyond the social aspect of life. Research is showing how smiling positively affects the brain's capacity to heal itself through the property of neuroplasticity.

Smiling- what a great way to create new pathways in our brain!

So go ahead and try this today - smile at someone. Someone you love, a random stranger, someone who looks like they are down on their luck, someone who did you a favor. It doesn't matter who you smile at. The result will be the same. You will feel happy and your brain will thank you for it.

And guess what, so will the recipient of your sweet gesture.

Until next time,
Be well, Do well, Live well
Sunita Merriman, DDS

Father's Day, A time to Lean In

FATHER'S DAY, A TIME TO LEAN IN   

Dave Goldberg, Mo Merriman, Tim Carlsen and millions of men have something in common...

This Father’s Day, I pay tribute to Dave Goldberg...

Dave tragically passed away recently at the young age of 47. A brilliant man in his own right, Dave was proud of being the husband of Sheryl Sandberg, the author of  'Lean In'.  For those of you who have read this book, you already know the eloquence with which Sheryl describes her husband’s partnership. She credits his encouragement and active support in creating a lifestyle which enabled her to pursue her career with the comfort of knowing that he ‘had it covered’ at home with their children when she was at work. He was not patronizing her but truly believed in her talent and wanted her to take advantage of all the opportunities that came her way so she could fulfill her potential. He set an example for their children to see how two people that loved each other fully could work together to bring out the best in each other. He also recognized the fact that despite all the advancements of the cause of equal rights for women, it still is not a fair fight out there. So he did something that only a man who is evolved, supremely confident and truly in love with his wife can do- he encouraged his wife to go into the spotlight while he stood strongly in the wings taking no credit for her success. How do you think this impacted their children? I can only imagine the amazingly powerful ripple effect of such selfless love and gift of empowerment. Alas, they do not have him in their lives the way every child deserves to have their father but they have a legacy of his goodness, leadership, innovative partnership with his wife and his definition of what he considered a strong and well balanced family that made a difference in this world.

This Father’s Day I pay tribute to my dad, Mo Merriman...
I hold his love in my heart. I move forward in my life with a deep appreciation of the qualities that defined him. His intelligence, his warmth and his kindness are embedded in my mind. His curiosity about people and this world is something that I have proudly inherited. The safety and security I felt when he held me are still imprinted on my psyche. His calm voice relaxed me and although I cannot remember the stories that he told me, I am still comforted by the memory of him reading to me at bedtime. All of this has shaped who I am and guides me as I make my way in this world and work towards the legacy that I want to leave behind. I am amazed at the scope of his influence on my development and on how I view myself .
The everlasting and profound depth of his impact on me is truly amazing considering the fact that he died when I was only 6 years old…

This father’s Day I pay tribute to my husband, Tim Carlsen...

Tim, Simrin and Nina

Tim and I are raising 2 daughters, Nina and Simrin. Both girls are smart, strong and may I truthfully add, a bit sassy. I have no doubt that having a father that is there for them at all times and under all circumstances has had a positive effect on their self-confidence and self-image. In this day and age, it is a challenge to raise good kids and our family is no different than most in sometimes struggling to find a way to reach our children with the message that we want them to hear. Today I celebrate Tim as a dad who influences his daughters by living a life of integrity, hard work and devotion to his family. Sometimes the only language that is effective is that of silent but active support. Tim speaks that language well. He does it by encouraging our girls to push through when they are failing, he does it by cheering them on when they are winning, he does it by enforcing the rules even though he really wants to make them happy by giving in, he does it by being available to them at all times, he does it by accommodating late night trips to craft stores so they can finish a project that they forgot to tell him about, he does it by telling them how beautiful they are when they complain to him about their acne, he does it when he teaches them how to use power tools, he does it when he tells them silly, punny jokes and then enjoys their ‘eye rolls’, he does it when he comforts them when their hearts are broken, he does it infinite ways, day in, day out.

As I shared today, I know the importance of a father’s love, involvement and commitment. It is far reaching and trans generational. The Dave Goldberg’s and Mo Merriman’s of the world may not be with us any longer, but their legacy lives on.

This Father’s Day I pay tribute to all those fathers that make their children feel loved and special...
Thank you!
Be well, Do well, Live well,
Until next time,
Sunita Merriman, DDS

The bigger picture

We bring who we are to what we do in this world. 


It leaves a mark on every interaction we have with others, every decision we make and every thought that drives us.


At this stage of my life, after much time and effort spent on self-reflection and growth, I have a better understanding of who I am. I no longer spend countless hours second guessing my instincts and judgment. It is a joy to fully and successfully integrate my inner values into my personal life and my professional life. I operate with the same goals, objectives and game plan in every arena of my life.  


You would think that by becoming more certain of who I am and what I stand for I would miss out on becoming more open and vulnerable to people and life situations. The opposite has occurred. The consistency and merge of my inner and outer life has given me the freedom to follow my natural curiosity with confidence and excitement and allows me to learn and grow from the experience, wisdom and knowledge of others. It has also increased my patience and desire to understand another person's point of view



I recently led a team exercise at my practice. The question asked around the table was,

WHO ARE YOU?


We all got only 10 minutes to answer this question and had a maximum of 15 words that we could use to describe ourselves. Here is what I wrote,


I am a powerful, insightful, brilliant, beautiful, positive and ambitious human being who cares deeply about growing and helping others grow.


At our dental practice in Westfield, NJ, my passion and commitment to help others grow manifests itself in many ways that makes being a member of the 229 Charles Street family a very special thing.


For my patients- Nothing less than your optimal health and wellness is an acceptable result for us

For my team- Nothing less than providing the best environment and opportunity for you to continue to grow as compassionate and competent professionals is an acceptable goal for me

For myself- Nothing less than a daily effort to live by my values, philosophy and mission to the best of my abilities is acceptable to me


At the end of the day, I take comfort and counsel in George Orwell's words-

The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.

At 229 Charles Street, it is our endeavor to be the best of who we can be.



That is the big picture...

Be well, Do well, Live well,
Until next time,
Sunita Merriman, DDS

Educating, Discovering, Sharing, Inspiring

 

The profession of dentistry has been great to me.  I have had the opportunity to learn from the best of the best. My patients are terrific. My team is like my second family. My office is a sanctuary and a place of healing.  I earn my living as a dentist. I am well respected in my community and every day I have the opportunity to help people and solve problems.

It’s time to give back!

My passion is to share what I know and what I have learned through my experiences.  Nothing excites me more than making a difference through educating, discovering, sharing and inspiring others.  I also know that I learn the most when I teach others.  So that certainly is one more reason for me to pursue this path of giving back. 

“Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.”    ~ Benjamin Franklin 

I agree.

That is why I design everything I teach to have an interactive aspect.  It is my mission to empower others by helping them find ‘their’ magic and then share the principles, knowledge and skills that will create meaningful success, lasting fulfillment and prosperity in their practice and their life.

Every time I learn something, I realize that there is so much more for me to learn. 'I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.’ Socrates said it beautifully centuries ago.

I am looking forward to continuing the journey towards enlightenment. I hope you will join me.

Be well,

Do well,
Live well.
Sincerely,

Sunita

The past is a cancelled check

I was happy to see a patient of mine in the office the other day. John has been with our practice for a few years now and I always look forward to catching up with him on his regular preventive care visits. His wife is also my patient and I greatly admire the warmth,values and love with which this beautiful couple are raising their family and contribute to our community.

John looked at me with a guilty expression on his face. "Doc, I've been bad... I know I am way overdue and my wife has had to cancel a couple of appointments during the year for me. Sorry. It's just been crazy and I know you're probably upset with me."

It was not the first time my hygienist or I had heard such sentiments from a patient who had not kept up with recommended therapy and preventive measures. How did I respond?

"John, the past is a cancelled check! There is nothing that we can do about it. Do you ever think about the checks that you have written that have already cleared from your account?" I asked

"Of course not" replied John, looking a bit puzzled.

"Well, your missed appointments are the same as a cancelled check. You can't do anything about that lost opportunity. What you can focus on is the future and take measures to ensure that you do everything you possibly can moving forward to maintain optimal health."

What I need from my patients is their commitment to their health and well being- not just compliance to our treatment recommendations. There is a world of difference between the two.

Our goal at the practice is to advise you and guide you towards optimal health. Your mouth is the mirror to your general health and your oral health. It is extremely important for you to come in at least twice a year for preventive care which includes an oral cancer screening among many other conditions we check for. If any treatment needs to be done, it is beneficial to do so early on so as to prevent further damage that would cost more, take more time and procedures and may have a poorer prognosis.

"John, I know first hand how hard it is to balance work, family and self but your health is your wealth. It is important to make time for your doctors' appointments. By putting your health first, you put your family first! So make your next appointment with us keeping THAT in mind. It will be a gift to yourself and your family, not an obligation to keep the appointment so the hygienist does not get upset. We are here to encourage you and support you. We are health CARE professionals, not compliance officers. We will do everything possible to make your visits comfortable, fun and educational so you are motivated to take care of your health and keep all of your recommended appointments."

The rest of John's appointment was spent on reviewing his health history, periodontal (gums)condition, checking for wear on his teeth, TMJ and muscle issues and cavities and responding to his cosmetic needs.

And yes, we did end up catching up and swapping notes on Steve Jobs' biography, the holiday season and what it means to us, the Westfield downtown traffic, Sponge Bob Square Pants and the debatable appropriateness of the program for a 4 year old, etc., etc...

John left with an appointment for his next visit and I know he will keep it for all the right reasons!

The new year is a new beginning for all of us. It is an opportunity to design our life to reflect our most cherished values and focus our efforts towards what is most important to us. Good health is an essential ingredient for all of us.


Balance is what I strive for- this Christmas season, I learned how to make patterns on Crayola's Extreme Design from my 8 year old daughter. The activity was therapeutic due to it's simplicity and enriching to my soul due to the time it gave me to spend with one of my favorite people in this world. Slowing down and recharging gives us time to think...

Lynda, Claudia, Queenie,Deborah, Jenna and Lina appreciate the opportunity to help take care of your health and look forward to a great year with you.

Remember, the past is a cancelled check and today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Be well,

Live well,

Do well!

Until next time,

Sunita

Spring is here- Refresh, renew and rejuvenate!

2011 so far has brought us a taste of cold weather and plenty of snow. Many of our patients have given us fun stories of ski vacations, and it seems that all surrounding school districts have had their fair share of 'snow days'. We at the practice also had to make some decisions about patient and staff safety, and closed the office during the worst of it.

It seems that all of that is behind us now. The last few weeks have given us a taste of what's to come. Blue skies, warm sun beams through windows and chirping birds are proclaiming the arrival of spring.

Requests for whitening are another way that we know that spring and summer is around the corner. Judging with how busy the team has been with accommodating patients with this procedure, we must be headed towards warm weather, sunny vacations and beach time.

Spring is a time for us to refresh, renew and rejuvenate after hibernating and reflecting during the winter months. This season brings forth hope and thoughts of vitality and good health. My next few entries are going to walk you through the new patient visit at our practice. It will help you understand the 360 of how your oral health is tied into your overall health and well being and will give you comprehensive information on how to keep your teeth looking and feeling terrific for your entire life.

Yes, I did say your whole life! This is not an unrealistic goal in today's world of dentistry if you are a patient of a practice that is passionately committed to this goal for their patients.

So set some goals for yourself this spring. Whether it is to floss more often or to get a smile makeover, know that we are here to support you, encourage you and assist you at every step of the way!

I will leave you with a picture that reminds us of the promise of spring and summer:

Kensington Palace gardens, London, England

Looking forward to taking you on a new patient experience soon.

Until next time,

Be well,

Live well,

Do well!

Regards,

Sunita
http://www.doctormerriman.com/