“No two people can have the same experience – period. Each experience derives from the interaction between the staged event and the individual’s prior state of mind and being.” (Experience Economy Joseph Pine & James Gilmore, 1999.)
It is no secret that a visit to the dentist is not on people’s list of priorities and yet looking after our teeth is a vital part of our well-being. Patients come and go during the course of the day, each taking their place in the chair. Most have positive experiences and some not.
The big question is what makes for the difference in experience? The interesting thing is that if you observe patients as they go into the clinic you notice some may be uptight and upset. It is important for both the practitioner and the client to understand the essential dynamics of the energy exchange that takes place when working in such close proximity, particularly on the teeth which despite their hard exterior can become extremely sensitive during treatment. If either party are experiencing discordant feelings, these energies will clearly have a negative effect on the outcome of the treatment.
One can relate this idea to walking into a room where there has been a shouting match going on; clearly one begins to feel uncomfortable. Well we speak here of the same principle which is that negative energy will have the effect of polluting its environment. Supreme effort is then required to pull oneself out of this energetic “black hole”.
It is beneficial for clients to learn more about the power of intention, the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself as well as the tools that we have available to us in order to support the body in times of healing. As with everything in life, before we embark on any project or undergo any process it is good to set intentions for ourselves. By maintaining a strong, positive consciousness, giving ourselves permission to let go of any fears or anxieties prior to a dental visit, we have won most of the battle.
What other strategies can we use prior to a dental visit that would increase the success of the treatment by keeping us calm, refreshed and relaxed? Breathing is very important. If you notice when you are confronted with a situation or are fearful, the muscles of your body tense up and breathing becomes shallow. Give yourself permission to breathe into your muscles and allow them to relax as tension leaves the body. Practice this often and soon you will automatically take fuller breaths experiencing an ongoing state of peace despite the environment. Listen to your favourite music; sing or dance to it. Music is creative in distracting you so that you shift your focus of attention.
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea is also beneficial for relaxation. Using essential oils or diffusing them in your environment before you leave for your appointment can heighten your inner relaxation. From a homeopathic perspective, taking the remedy Arnica will mediate any swelling or pain as it alleviates tissue trauma caused by dental work, and the Bach Flower tincture, Rescue Remedy, will support and assist in dealing with the fear of the visit.
If you know someone who administers Reiki then be kind to yourself and have a session prior to dental treatment. The Reiki treatment will help to put you at ease as this universal energy flows to the parts of your body that require healing.
VISUALIZATION EXERCISE FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME
Another powerful, yet basic tool for overcoming apprehension about your dental visit is to do a meditation visualization to project healing energies and positive outcomes to your experience and in everything that you are planning to do for the day. This practice is an extension of the honouring, respect and self-love that we have for ourselves and would take about ten to fifteen minutes of your time and is highly recommended.
You can start by taking some deep breaths until every part of your body is relaxed. Imagine in your mind’s eye that you are talking to your teeth and gums as though you are speaking to a friend. Let your teeth know that you will be undergoing some treatment for your overall physical health and all will be well. Imagine white or a healing violet blue light around your teeth, gums and your mouth. Feel the calming effects of this light and energy in and around your mouth as your teeth and gums respond to the healing effects of this light. Set the intention as you visualize your trip to the dental office. Notice throughout the procedure there is no pain or discomfort; the outcome is perfect. All your interactions are pleasant and you feel perfectly relaxed as your trust is reflected in your openness and peace.
Move along your time-line through the rest of your day. As with the beginning, at the end of the day you will see, feel, hear, sense yourself as being calm, centered, grounded, balanced and peaceful. Take four deep breaths to embody this healing energy into every part of your being and particularly into your mouth. You are ready to go out knowing your experiences will be perfect as you have co-created this reality through your positive intentions and attitude.
Remember all life and healing comes through the consciousness that directs the universal life energies. If you intend all your experiences to be positive then that will be the outcome.
An interesting aspect of people’s dreams is that the most common part of the body coming up in dreams are the teeth. What are these dreams symbolic of in a person’s life? Could it be that one has not taken self-responsibility in life, taking a sure bite out of life in order to move forward? Fear of the dentist creates problems further down the line due to neglect of the health of the teeth? If you have dreamt of teeth, have a look at the dream and your life, notice if there is a correlation and what steps you will take to change this. Your overall health will depend on this conscious action. By paying attention to your needs and how you experience yourself and your life you have the power to heal yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through this self-loving way of being.
Dr. Pirjo Friedman, a business professional who runs a successful Dental Practice, and Miriam Sanua, “Soul Regeneration Coach”, work together. With Pirjo’s experiences out in the trenches, Miriam acts as wordsmith in documenting these experiences. Dr. Friedman breathes life into the concept that you can be a successful businesswoman, spiritual in life’s approaches and leading example to family. Author of the book Awakening the Entrepreneurial Spirit in You, Embracing Synchronicity, Pirjo explores the endless possibilities of personal excellence through opening to synchronicity. The book is now available through 
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