How to end fear of the dentist | Sharonne Zaks | TEDxSydney

Dr Sharonne Zaks is on a mission to transform the way dentistry is practised, enhancing the connection and joy for both patients and dentists. The mouth is especially vulnerable, and finding novel ways to give power back to patients with care and compassion offers benefits far beyond fixing teeth. This is particularly meaningful for patients for whom power has been abused in the past. Dr Sharonne Zaks is not your average dentist/musician. She has over 20 years of experience in private practice in Melbourne and regional Victoria, with a special focus on anxious and phobic patients, and survivors of sexual assault and trauma. Sharonne’s new approach is drawn from trauma informed care, her clinical experience and other research. The free video resources she made are being used to empower survivors and to train dentists locally and internationally.

[bexp]

I've got the dentist today, i have a traumatic past and struggle so much with the dentist. Thank you for highlighting these issues. My dentist is so lovely I can do this. I'm not where I was. I'm now caring for myself. I really hope I can do this. I know I can do this.

[thgentleman]

It's not just the fear in person it's the financial stress as well..

[highfieldfarmwoodland]

What a humane and compassionate professional.

[jessman]

As a dental phob, I say thank you for bringing this out into the open. It's good to hear a dentist recognize the issue. Thank you!!!!

[helpfulvideos]

When she said Anna told her I realized I'm somebody that is worth taking care of I cried as being a victim of child abuse I've always struggled with confidence and taking care of myself and never thought I'm someone to take care of ! Thank you so much 💗

[vhodgdon]

I cried thru this whole video. I'm a childhood trauma survivor and had a terrible experience at a dental office today where I was basically brushed off and told I would be ok ... we do this all the time. I went from nervous to over drive anxiety attack in seconds. She didn't care ... they had zero sedation available. Told me I had this procedure done before... well yes I said but I WAS SEDATED. I left in tears, still in pain, and upset all day.

[GGwarlocks]

she's great but I thought it would help me end my fear of dentist... but it turned out to be more helpful for dentists not for scared pacients like me... You should change the title, it's clickbait for people like me!

[andreic]

I have dental phobia from some bad experiences with dental procedures as a kid. I can't imagine finding a dentist with so much empathy!

[sorbet]

I'm so terrified of dentists I have no idea how to overcome it. The only thing that forces me to go is the greater fear of an abscess tooth.
I have to psych myself up every time, it's miserable.

[okzz]

Dentists are truly amazing people. They care more about their patients than any other industry and are generally very kind people.

Ive had to get a tooth filling done and was very scared leading up to the operation. Turns out that the dentist and his assistant were very lovely individuals that took the steps necessary to comfort me on every part of the journey.

It was quickly apparent to me how intelligent they are. Its unfortunate that they bear such a stressful and demanding jobs.

[Sarahburrowes]

Thank you Sharonne for doing this incredibly important work. Thank you for your compassion, kindness and attention to detail. It is wonderful that you are challenging so many health professionals to learn how to better care for people with a trauma history, and that you are giving hope to people with a trauma history that they can get the oral health care they need and deserve. You are an inspiration!

[JM-dwfu]

I started to tear up listening to this in the waiting room for my appointment

[Ririnavy]

I'm always scared of the dentist but not of the process just that I'm embarrassed that my teeth are not healthy..I had a couple of bad experiences before with older dentists who were making me feel bad about any issues I had...😔
Luckily I find a good one now that is not judgemental and doesn't make me feel uncomfortable..

[ingelberg]

What a nice human being, kind smart, and professional.

[SirDolce]

ive learnt not to trust anyone from a ridiculously young age, its actually rlly comforting to hear this since i hae an appointment soon and i am a massing phob😭😭😭😭 thnx

[timw]

Truly brilliant seminar/lecture. Everyone should see this. Kudos to this wonderful lecturer!!

[ladya]

WOW!! This is really powerful. Dr Zaks did a wonderful job and sounds like an amazing dentist.

[joanneday]

Thank you Sharonne, I hope your work in this area is picked up globally. I also listened to your ABC 'Conversations' interview on this subject and it was so enlightening. You possess the compassion and intelligence to make a huge difference. I have seen many dentists in my 58 years and my 2 favourites are my current dentist, a lovely professional and friendly Greek man and a wonderful dentist who is now retired who could tell I was anxious so he talked me through what he was doing, gave me time frames and congratulated me on how well I was going. It made all the difference! (ps my mother grew up in Creswick! Just down the road!)

[guns]

I'm not afraid of the dentist I just hate having to keep my mouth open the whole time and remain still for long periods of time.

[Helenstarry]

This video should be absolutely viral 😭