A Southport dentist offers hypnosis to patients to help with their fear of the dentist
Mar 27 2009 by Gemma Jaleel, Southport Visiter


A SOUTHPORT dentist is helping patients with their fear of the dentist by offering hypnosis.

Dr Stephen Dodd at 10 Dental on Scarisbrick New Road was becoming concerned that people are neglecting their oral health due to their phobia and anxiety of visiting the dentist.

After completing training by the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis at the University of Salford, Dr Dodd is now fully qualified to treat patients under hypnosis.

He said: “Hypnosis is an altered state of mind in which there is an increase in suggestibility. This state can be produced by oneself or by responding to the directions of a hypnotherapist.”

Dr Dodd uses hypnosis to manage his patient’s anxiety, dental and needle phobia and gagging reflex.

“Clinical hypnosis in no way can be compared to stage hypnosis which in my mind is very damaging to the reputation of medical, dental and clinical hypnosis as it conveys an inaccurate image of what hypnosis actually is.

“The subject is fully in control at all times and knows exactly what they are doing.”

Hypnosis is usually accompanied by deep physical relaxation and a reduction in your awareness of surroundings.

Hypnosis is natural state of mind and occurs when daydreaming and is similar in some ways to being completely engrossed in an activity such as watching television or reading, where time passes without you realising because you are so absorbed in what you are doing.