Dental Gags

Do you dread dental drills? The American Dental Association (ADA) thinks it has the cure.

The organization has just launched a new and growing set of video podcasts aimed at improving oral health. Their idea: acknowledge patients' anxiety, and then counter fears with humor.

The first podcast, all about dental anxiety, starts out with the theme from Alfred Hitchcock's terrifying TV show, and includes plenty of silly, scary sound effects. The hosts, a not-especially-talented acting duo, go over some of the reasons for dental anxiety and suggest ways to alleviate fears.

To be honest, I'm not sure I felt a lot more relaxed after hearing that ordinary dental procedures such as root canal and extraction "really are surgery." On the other hand, it was a plus to learn that the awful hornet-buzzing sound made by the dental drill is actually created by moving air, and that it's OK to bring along your iPod to drown out the disturbing sound.

With recent studies showing a connection between gum disease and systemic problems such as cardiovascular disease, avoiding the dentist is not an option. Tuning in to monthly dental goofiness may be a good way to calm nerves and come up with ideas for making dental visits a little more user friendly.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng