Coping with dental anxiety
Not everyone is comfortable at the dentist. And that's perfectly understandable. Which is why we're on hand to help.
What is dental anxiety?
In basic terms, dental anxiety is being worried or stressed about visiting the dentist. Whether that be through fear of pain, concern about the tools, even traumatic experiences from childhood. It's a common fear, but one that can be eased through the right support.
How do I overcome dental anxiety?
There's no one cure for overcoming dental anxiety. Everyone's different. But a good place to start is to talk through your worries. Start by having a chat with your dentist or someone at the practice. They can be very accommodating, and definitely understanding.
If you'd rather speak to someone outside the practice, our advice and counselling line is there to support you. Completely confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with trained specialists on the end of the line.
How we can help
Whatever part of your dental care you are worried, anxious or stressed about, our advice and counselling services can help you and it’s completely confidential.
As part of your dental plan, you'll get access to:
- Unlimited ‘in the moment’ counselling support and guidance for dental-related anxiety and stress
- Six structured telephone counselling sessions for dental-related anxiety and stress, for each issue, in each year
'In the moment' counselling
We don’t know when you might need us. That’s why we’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have a dental health issue, legal concern or financial worries paying for your dental care, you’ll be able to speak to a specialist confidentially who will be able to help.
You’ll speak to a counsellor or advisor straight away, and they may be able to help you instantly, depending on the nature of your call. This ‘in the moment’ support can be virtually any kind of issue relating to dental anxiety, worry or stress, like:
- Fear of pain
- Feelings of helplessness and loss of control
- Embarrassment
- Negative past experiences
Structured therapy
If your dental worry needs more formal support, then you will be offered structured telephone counselling, and arrangements will be made to match you to a counsellor.
You will be able to have up to six structured telephone counselling sessions delivered over the telephone by an experienced counsellor who will be able to provide you with the support you need.
How to use the service
1. Call at any time
Call 0330 102 5344 at any time.
2. Quote your reference details
Quote 72108 with your company name if you have cover through your employer or “individual dental” for individuals funded through Direct Debit.
3. Speak to a counsellor or advisor
You’ll speak to a counsellor or advisor straight away, and they may be able to help you instantly, depending on the nature of your call.
Things you need to know
Who provides this service?
Simplyhealth has partnered with Health Assured, who are the UK and Ireland’s largest Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider, dealing with many of the UK’s leading organisations across the private, public and non-profit sectors. They have vast experience and a proven track record in delivering information, support and counselling services.
Counsellors who work for Health Assured hold a membership with the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
What is not covered under this service?
This service is designed to be short term support to get over an immediate crisis. It is not designed to provide long term support. You may want to use this service to provide you with some short term support whilst you seek something more long term through the NHS (where waiting times can vary).
This service cannot help with ‘contentious workplace issues’, and if this is the issue you face, you will be referred to other support mechanisms such as ACAS.
Diagnosis of a medical condition or prescription of treatments is not covered under this service.
Non-dental related anxiety, worry and stress.
Can my child use this service?
If your child is aged 16 to 24, then they can use this service. If your child is under the age of 16, then Health Assured will signpost you to specialists in child counselling.
There are specific requirements around safeguarding that are required for child-focused counselling support, which these organisations are trained to operate within.
What if I want to continue seeing my counsellor after my structured therapy sessions are complete?
This is possible and should be discussed with your counsellor first. If you both agree that this would be beneficial, there are certain BACP regulations that the counsellor must adhere to that mean there needs to be a 3-month gap between your final session and starting your longer-term therapy. You can still obtain ‘in the moment’ support from Health Assured during this time if you need it.
If you are not able to wait 3 months, you should talk to your counsellor about alternatives that could help you during the 3 month waiting period.
Do I need to quote a reference when I call the dedicated phone number?
When you call please quote your company name if your cover is provided through your employer, or quote “individual dental” if you have an individual policy funded through Direct Debit.
What can this service help me with?
General dental related anxiety, worry and stress.
Can the dependant on my policy (my husband/wife/partner) use this service?
If they are named on your Simplyhealth dental plan, then yes, they can.
Why am I limited on the number of sessions of structured therapy?
This service is designed to be short term support to get over an immediate crisis. It is not designed to provide long term support.
You may want to use this service to provide you with some short term support whilst you seek something more long term through the NHS or other support networks.
Is this service the same as an EAP (employee assistance programme)?
This is a confidential helpline provided by an EAP provider. All enquiries not related to dental or dentistry will be signposted to alternative services outside of Health Assured. This service is for support with general dental-related anxiety, worry and stress on a short term basis.
Terms and conditions
- Simplyhealth will not be held responsible if you experience any delay or failure in the provision of this helpline that is beyond our, or the service provider’s, control.
- We aim to schedule your appointment within two days of your request and have your first appointment with a counsellor within the following five days.
- The year cycle starts from the date you start your counselling journey, not a calendar year or dental plan claiming year.