UK Dentists Adopting New Relaxation Technique For Anxious Patients

Tue, 13 Jul 2010

A new device that helps relax nervous dental patients has been introduced to dental practices in the UK.

NuCalm, which has been developed by neuroscientists in the US, helps ease a patient’s dental phobia by using a combination of naturally occurring chemicals found in the brain and sound waves to put them into a state of deep relaxation . This technique is known as cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES).

The process works in three stages. Firstly, the patient is given two pills – Gamma Amino Butryic Acid (GABA), which is also a nutritional supplement, and L-theanine. Both of these are found naturally in the brain and start the calming effect. A low electric current is then sent through the brain via the Cranial Electrostimulation Device.

The third and final stage involves music which is delivered, via a set of headphones, at a specific frequency to get the brainwaves to the point of deep relaxation usually associated with meditation and sleep. Patients also put on dark glasses to avoid any visual stimulation.

NuCalm has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is now being adopted by dentists across the UK.

London-based dentist Dr Mervyn Druian has been using the NuCalm device since March and says it has had a significant impact on nervous patients.

In addition to easing dental anxiety, clinical trials have established that CES is also effective at treating a range of stress disorders, including insomnia and post-traumatic stress, by encouraging the brain to release serotonin and dopamine, chemicals which are known to induce relaxation and feelings of wellbeing.
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