I signed up for MLMU about a year ago. I found out about MLMU through Peak Potentials training. They offer a free email called T. Harve recommends and this was one of the courses they recommended for anyone wanting to be successful in network marketing.
I have a lot of respect for Peak Potentials training and T. Harve Ecker. I will do some reviews of Warrior Training and Millionaire Mind Intensive Seminar in a late blog.
Needless to say I went and did a free ½ hour phone consultation with them. It was basically a demonstration of what they have to offer by actually using what they offer on you. I was pretty impressed. I believe the guy I spoke with is very well trained on the phones and quite a good closer. Anyway he asked me to tell him what I did to build my business currently and at that time I was buying leads and using some of the training I had received from Integritas who uses Tim Sales as a training Guru. He said I was wasting my time because it took so long and as a networker I was looking to call as many people as possible as quickly as possible because that is the nature of network marketing. You have to find people who are looking and buying leads and calling people involves a lot of sifting and filtering, which is why I believe it’s so ineffective.
His script was very to the point and effective and with the right posture I believe would work quite well. At the time I was running out of my budget for leads and for products so I was pretty much done with phone calling purchased leads. I made it through about 60 and had two sign up who never did much. One is now with me on my current venture, but that is another story. I never did try the script out.
What they offer at MLMU is very much training in how to build your business in the warm market. I hated the notion of building in the warm market and was so confronted with the idea that I never did much. They offer many warm market tricks so that the prospects never really know they are being prospected and they offer different way to speak to people so that you become more attractive to them. I use a lot of the skills I learned at MLMU in my current venture and at my dental practice. They also offer some training in how to do a good presentation. This also something that is very helpful and I carry with me to my current venture and in the dental practice.
What I have found is that there is nothing new that Hilton offers that is not basic stuff offered by your upline. Basic qualifying questions, elevator conversations, five minute presentations. It’s all very basic stuff and it’s all stuff that works and is very non threatening unless your like me and are very confronted with talking to people about MLM. It’s all very organized and they give you a coach who has been very successful in the networking industry. That was a big selling point for me, I took the attitude that if he could do it I could do it. Except I was stopped by the fear of sharing MLM so I stopped talking to him. He was very helpful.
See I thought I was willing to do whatever it takes to be financially free, but it’s like the old Meatloaf song “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that.” I won’t bother friends and family.
Now with my current venture I have moved into the warm market and I have talked to some safe people. I have had some people register, and it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. They didn’t freak out, althought I don’t know what they are saying behind my back. And I know as long as I worry about that I will not be successful in the warm market.
So that is why I am an advocate of the different trainings out there that offer ways to become a guru in your own right. And how to offer generic training because the promise there is you become someone who is sought after. Magnetic sponsoring is the name of the game with true marketing.
So as far as my experience goes with MLMU is I never got past the basics. I got confronted and gave up. The basics are supposed to last about 2 months and their training goes for a year. Wow I wonder what would have happened after a year. But see why did I give up? What was missing in their training that caused me to give up? I would imagine their training is for more experienced and comfortable MLM people, but then those people can find what MLMU offers at a much cheaper rate somewhere else. And even for relatively free from your upline. Now if you get nothing from your upline then MLMU may be the proper place. I believe for MLMU to be successful I would need daily pep talks and daily stories of other people who went through what I went through. Because it’s very easy to fall into negativity and let the negativity that’s out there swallow you up.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Dream Team, Gino and Terry
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my travels through different courses it’s that not all marketers make good teachers. Well that is not the case with Gino and Terry over at Dream Team.
Gino and Terry offer a complete marketing education package. They offer a money back guarantee that if you follow what they teach you will be making at least $50,000 in one year or your money back. They also promise that you will add 20-30 people per week into whatever you are marketing. And if you follow what they say you will get to that. They offer generic training that can be applied to just about anything you might want to market.
Most other courses offer bits and pieces. You can get a copywriting course here and a tech course there, how to talk on the phone somewhere else, where to get leads in an even different place. These other courses usually come in book, DVD or CD form and are usually a recording of some course they put on live somewhere.
Gino and Terry on the other hand present live training and cover all aspects of marketing. The calls are live which gives you an opportunity to ask questions and participate. Gino and Terry really make the learning fun and they get involved with their students. They are very helpful and respond to emails and calls quite well. They have lots of fun and it’s quite a community. I highly recommend what they offer; no place else can you get the complete marketing package in one place - live.
What they do starts with very basic marketing strategies that are very affordable and can be done anywhere with just a telephone. As you become skilled at the inexpensive and safe campaigns you can then move into advanced expensive and more profitable marketing campaigns. You don’t to put a lot of money into some campaign unless you’re pretty sure it’s going to work, and how do you know if it’s going to work? If you test it. Test it on the phone first (the most inexpensive marketing tool on the planet) and then you can move into more advanced and expensive mediums like the internet and postcards. They are there for you each step of the way at no additional cost!
Membership with the Dream Team is lifetime, you could go away for several months and come back and still be a member. There is no monthly fee, which I think is great because a lot of other marketers want you to buy their course and you only have a month or so to learn until the monthly subscription kicks in and that monthly subscription eats into the budget. Also a lot of times people get confronted by something and quit, they then want to come back and if you only have a limited time you until the deal runs out you can’t come back without paying again, it gives another excuse not to get back in the game.
What they offer is a complete marketing education. Most marketers offering courses offer bits and pieces here and there and then invite you take the next course which is of course more expensive to get more of the picture. So you go from the $20 dollar course which introduces the $40 etc up to the live course which is $3500 and then finally the consulting for $10,000. All worth it but it does get frustrating for a guy like me who doesn’t want to pitched all the time. Here you pay for everything up front with the Dream Team they do not push any other courses or do not bring in any special guest who are pitching the same $20, $40…. $10,000 line up. You get it all. You get a complete education. Now that education takes a while. To try and get a complete marketing education in “One giant special weekend where you’ll learn it all guaranteed!!!” is just not realistic. We are humans, humans are creatures of habit and it takes about 30 days to create a new habit. Gino and Terry’s education is 30 days and it repeats so you pick up more the second time. Plus they offer consulting free of charge. You don’t have to get it all done in “1 free hour of consultation with a Guru!!!!!” you can do it piece by piece. Learn how to put together a marketing plan that works piece by piece. Test the plan, make it better, and get rich in the process.
You get to work with two marketing experts who have made millions marketing all kinds of products. They have earned their salt in many different venues. When you join Dream Team your success is their success, all they are doing is teaching. Many other marketers have lots and lots of products and when they set a conference call or some other “educational meeting” it is really just an opportunity to pitch whatever they are pitching at the time, not so with Dream Team. What they offer is very valuable and in my opinion is a bargain.
If you want to check out what the Dream Team has to offer check out AddRepsTheEasyWay.com
Gino and Terry offer a complete marketing education package. They offer a money back guarantee that if you follow what they teach you will be making at least $50,000 in one year or your money back. They also promise that you will add 20-30 people per week into whatever you are marketing. And if you follow what they say you will get to that. They offer generic training that can be applied to just about anything you might want to market.
Most other courses offer bits and pieces. You can get a copywriting course here and a tech course there, how to talk on the phone somewhere else, where to get leads in an even different place. These other courses usually come in book, DVD or CD form and are usually a recording of some course they put on live somewhere.
Gino and Terry on the other hand present live training and cover all aspects of marketing. The calls are live which gives you an opportunity to ask questions and participate. Gino and Terry really make the learning fun and they get involved with their students. They are very helpful and respond to emails and calls quite well. They have lots of fun and it’s quite a community. I highly recommend what they offer; no place else can you get the complete marketing package in one place - live.
What they do starts with very basic marketing strategies that are very affordable and can be done anywhere with just a telephone. As you become skilled at the inexpensive and safe campaigns you can then move into advanced expensive and more profitable marketing campaigns. You don’t to put a lot of money into some campaign unless you’re pretty sure it’s going to work, and how do you know if it’s going to work? If you test it. Test it on the phone first (the most inexpensive marketing tool on the planet) and then you can move into more advanced and expensive mediums like the internet and postcards. They are there for you each step of the way at no additional cost!
Membership with the Dream Team is lifetime, you could go away for several months and come back and still be a member. There is no monthly fee, which I think is great because a lot of other marketers want you to buy their course and you only have a month or so to learn until the monthly subscription kicks in and that monthly subscription eats into the budget. Also a lot of times people get confronted by something and quit, they then want to come back and if you only have a limited time you until the deal runs out you can’t come back without paying again, it gives another excuse not to get back in the game.
What they offer is a complete marketing education. Most marketers offering courses offer bits and pieces here and there and then invite you take the next course which is of course more expensive to get more of the picture. So you go from the $20 dollar course which introduces the $40 etc up to the live course which is $3500 and then finally the consulting for $10,000. All worth it but it does get frustrating for a guy like me who doesn’t want to pitched all the time. Here you pay for everything up front with the Dream Team they do not push any other courses or do not bring in any special guest who are pitching the same $20, $40…. $10,000 line up. You get it all. You get a complete education. Now that education takes a while. To try and get a complete marketing education in “One giant special weekend where you’ll learn it all guaranteed!!!” is just not realistic. We are humans, humans are creatures of habit and it takes about 30 days to create a new habit. Gino and Terry’s education is 30 days and it repeats so you pick up more the second time. Plus they offer consulting free of charge. You don’t have to get it all done in “1 free hour of consultation with a Guru!!!!!” you can do it piece by piece. Learn how to put together a marketing plan that works piece by piece. Test the plan, make it better, and get rich in the process.
You get to work with two marketing experts who have made millions marketing all kinds of products. They have earned their salt in many different venues. When you join Dream Team your success is their success, all they are doing is teaching. Many other marketers have lots and lots of products and when they set a conference call or some other “educational meeting” it is really just an opportunity to pitch whatever they are pitching at the time, not so with Dream Team. What they offer is very valuable and in my opinion is a bargain.
If you want to check out what the Dream Team has to offer check out AddRepsTheEasyWay.com
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Why Am I Doing This
I am offering this blog as a service to the people who are out there searching for a way to learn financial freedom. As a dentist I have the means and the time to take courses and read books. I personally have gone from a self centered, depressed, anxious, paranoid, helpless (you get the picture) person to someone who is very generous, loving supportive and powerful. I did it through doing different courses.
I have taken a lot of courses and it has been quite a journey. Mostly I will be focusing on the financial freedom courses I have taken. Because if you're anything like me you are searching and looking for the answers on the web and you never know who to trust and what will work.
You go to these web sites and they have a long letter and at the end they want you to put in your name and email. You never know if what's at the end is worth it, and you probably get a million emails a day that you have to delete. And if you actually spent all the time reading those articles and notes you would have no time to do the dishes.
Plus a lot of times you are being asked to part with 20 dollars here and 197 dollars there and you never really know if what they are selling is worth it. They say $20 is not a lot of money but if you sign up for 20 courses and ebooks that's $400. Now we're talking about a lot of money. I remember when I was in college, I had to scrape together change and search the couch so I could go get a salad and a cheeseburger from Wendy's 99 cent menu. $20 back then was huge.
Plus I have a hard time finding time to finish one course before I move on the next. I have stacks of books to read and courses to finish. I get bored or confronted and give up and start looking for the next one. I have found that this is recipe for disaster. The great Diane Hochman once told me "Chris you are looking for the answers outside of yourself, and as long as you do that you are going to spend lots of money". Boy was I mad when I heard that, but I got to thinking. At first I didn't understand it, but then it dawned on me the answers are inside of me. Courses and self help just uncover what's really inside of all of us. A marketing campaign is a self expression, true marketing is where you sell a product you generate and it has to come from you.
Now obviously we all need to learn the skills necessary to become what we want. I had to go to school to bring out the inner dentist in side of me. I do excellent dentistry, but I didn't learn that, it was always there, Dental school just uncovered it.
So in this blog I will be telling you about the courses I have taken and what my experiences were and who I think should take each course. I will tell you that if your looking for X this is the course for you.
I have taken a lot of courses and it has been quite a journey. Mostly I will be focusing on the financial freedom courses I have taken. Because if you're anything like me you are searching and looking for the answers on the web and you never know who to trust and what will work.
You go to these web sites and they have a long letter and at the end they want you to put in your name and email. You never know if what's at the end is worth it, and you probably get a million emails a day that you have to delete. And if you actually spent all the time reading those articles and notes you would have no time to do the dishes.
Plus a lot of times you are being asked to part with 20 dollars here and 197 dollars there and you never really know if what they are selling is worth it. They say $20 is not a lot of money but if you sign up for 20 courses and ebooks that's $400. Now we're talking about a lot of money. I remember when I was in college, I had to scrape together change and search the couch so I could go get a salad and a cheeseburger from Wendy's 99 cent menu. $20 back then was huge.
Plus I have a hard time finding time to finish one course before I move on the next. I have stacks of books to read and courses to finish. I get bored or confronted and give up and start looking for the next one. I have found that this is recipe for disaster. The great Diane Hochman once told me "Chris you are looking for the answers outside of yourself, and as long as you do that you are going to spend lots of money". Boy was I mad when I heard that, but I got to thinking. At first I didn't understand it, but then it dawned on me the answers are inside of me. Courses and self help just uncover what's really inside of all of us. A marketing campaign is a self expression, true marketing is where you sell a product you generate and it has to come from you.
Now obviously we all need to learn the skills necessary to become what we want. I had to go to school to bring out the inner dentist in side of me. I do excellent dentistry, but I didn't learn that, it was always there, Dental school just uncovered it.
So in this blog I will be telling you about the courses I have taken and what my experiences were and who I think should take each course. I will tell you that if your looking for X this is the course for you.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Don't Let Fear Stop you From Seeing the Dentist
Since I am a dentist I thought it might be appropriate for me to post an article about Dental Fear. I got this article from http://www.about.com/ I am also very impressed with http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/ they have a helpful forum of people who have had huge breakthroughs in going to the dentist after using the site as a resource. I found a cool site that offers a course on getting rid of all kinds of phobias. I have not read or know anything about the site, I will be doing some research and some posts in the future. The site is http://www.phobiascured.com/ they are pretty organized and that usually means they put out a good product. I will keep you posted.
WHAT IS DENTAL PHOBIA?: Prevalence and Etiology by Dr. Michael Krochak
Dental phobia is the serious, often paralyzing fear of seeking dental care. It has been reliably reported that 50% of the American population does not seek regular dental care. An estimated 9-15% of all Americans avoid much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience. This translates to some 30 - 40 million people so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether, In terms of your dental health and overall well-being, this can have serious ramifications. Besides chronically infected gums and teeth which can affect your medical status, your ability to chew and digest can be seriously compromised. Without healthy gums and teeth, your speech can be affected as well. Your self confidence can be compromised if you are insecure about your breath and smile. This can lead to serious limitations in both your social and business environments.
WHY DO I FEAR THE DENTIST? by Dr. Michael Krochak
Dental phobias and anxiety stem from various sources. These can lead to a strongly conditioned fear response. The following are the most common origins of dental fear:
Previously painful or negative experiences during visits to a dentist's office. This can even include careless comments made by a dentist or hygienist during a past examination.
A severe discomfort with feeling helpless and/or out of control in the dental situation.
A sense of embarrassment of your dental neglect and fear of ridicule and/ or belittlement when you present to the dental office.
Scary anecdotes of negative dental experiences learned vicariously from family and friends.
Negative, menacing portrayals of dentists in movies, TV, newspapers and magazines.
A sense of depersonalization in the dental process, intensified by today's necessity for the use of barrier precautions, such as masks, latex gloves and shields.
A general fear of the unknown.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY DENTAL FEAR? by Dr. Michael Krochak
The first thing you can do is to realize that your dental fear can be overcome. Fear is a learned behavior which, therefore, can be unlearned. Patient-centered behavior modification that treats you as a whole person, not as a set of teeth can help you overcome your fears. This will obviously take a team approach between you and your dentist and his/her staff. Communication is the key. You must feel comfortable expressing your fears and concerns and have a sense that you are being listened to. If you feel that the Dr. and/or staff is not genuinely concerned and listening, then absolutely feel comfortable with seeking out referrals to other offices.
You should never compromise the level of communication that you feel is necessary to give you a sense of control over your situation in the dental office. Modern dentistry with a compassionate dental team can be truly painless. You can desensitize yourself to your fears if you take the first step and allow the right team to help you overcome your fears. (Look for a future article on "How to Choose the Right Dentist")
A Sense of Control
Explanation and clarification of any and all procedures proposed is your right as a patient. If you have a question about a particular procedure, ask it! Empower yourself with the knowledge to alleviate fear of the unknown. You should have input into treatment decisions and choices. You should be honest with your dentist regarding how much treatment you think you can tolerate at first. As you build confidence in yourself and trust in the team that is caring for you, the length of your appointment and the amount of work accomplished will increase.
A Signaling System should be established allowing you to stop for any reason, whether it be because you need more anesthesia, want to rinse out, or simply need a two second break. The most common signal is raising your hand.
Never be Embarrassed
If you have been ridiculed in the past for your behavior or if you are embarrassed by your present dental condition caused by your neglect, please express yourself honestly and give your present dentist a chance to understand your concerns and show you that they care. You will be amazed at the wealth of treatment options that you might not have thought were possible. With modern dentistry, it's never too late to recreate a new smile!
Relaxation Techniques
If you feel tense in the chair, the easiest way to relax is through forms of physical relaxation. A relaxed body promotes a clear and relaxed mind. The human body cannot be physically relaxed and mentally anxious at the same time! The brain won't process these feelings simultaneously. Physical relaxation methods are easier to accomplish at first as compared to cognitive ones, so practice forms of physical relaxation first.
Examples of physical relaxation are Diaphragmatic Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and various methods taught in yoga . There are numerous books and sources for these methods. If you induce relaxation in the presence of the stimuli that normally induces your fears (the dental environment), the fear response will be greatly diminished over multiple exposures and you will gradually desensitize yourself to these fears as you build confidence. The memories of traumatic visits will be replaced with more innocuous ones and this less threatening environment coupled with your relaxation methods will help you eliminate your fears.
Distraction
As you get more comfortable in the dental environment, you can engage in various distraction techniques that many offices have. The use of a Walkman or Discman is a common technique. Many offices now are equipped with Virtual Reality-like glasses that provide both visual and auditory distraction by allowing you to view videotapes through these glasses while having dental work done. We only suggest using distraction techniques once you have established some trust and confidence because your ability to communicate will be compromised, although it is easy to stop any of these devices if need be.
Predictable Pain Control
Modern dentistry has many new techniques with regards to the administration of local anesthetics to block any possibility of pain. There are many people who have anatomical or biologic variations that do require more individualized techniques in order to predictably achieve proper local anesthesia. This variation must be respected and communicated to your dentist. All injections should be given slowly. The needle itself is not the major cause of discomfort, but in fact, it is the pressure and volume of the fluids being injected that causes the discomfort. There are also great differences in the types of tissue in various locations, anatomically and from person to person, that must be considered when administering injections. There are even computer-controlled machines that are now available to standardize the injection process and make it more predictable than the conventional hand-held syringe.
COMMUNICATE, EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEARS!
Dental Anxiety Self-Test
Many people have a high level of anxiety and avoid visiting the dentist. This can cause future dental problems. Below are some questions that, if answered yes, may signify that you have some form of dental anxiety. It is important to note, however, that many new, wonderful products and procedures are available that can make the dental visit a pleasant experience.
Do you feel slight uneasiness and tension the evening prior to your dental visit, which makes you cancel your dental appointment?
While waiting in the reception area of the dental office, do you feel nervous about the visit?
Have you had a prior dental experience that was unpleasant?
While in the dental chair, do you feel uneasy and anxious?
Does the thought of having a dental injection make you feel physically ill and tense?
Does seeing the dentist or dental hygienist's instruments make you anxious?
Do you feel embarrassed that the dentist will say you have the worst mouth they have ever seen?
Do objects placed in your mouth during the dental visit make you panic and feel like you cannot breath correctly?
Do you feel that your dentist is unsympathetic only with you?
Fear In The Dentist's Chair
What is the cause of dental phobia? According to a recent study in the British Dental Journal, dental phobia is initiated by a bad experience that unknowingly has become associated with dentistry.
The study has found that despite the advancement of modern techniques and the use of very effective anesthetics, patients still seem to maintain the same level of anxiety as they did years ago. The proportion was shown to be the same today as it was in the 1930's.
Dr. Ruth Freeman of Queens University Dental School in Belfast, wrote the article and explains that if all dental phobia were related to painful experiences from a patient's life, the condition should have gotten better over the years because of all the advanced techniques available today. This however is not the case and it suggests that dental phobia is brought on by outside experiences which are then related to dental experiences.
There are some techniques for relaxation that a dentist can put into practice for people with such trauma. Patients may be given sedation and be informed about pain control and they may be given the advantage of being able to control their own pain by stopping and starting treatment using hand signals.
WHAT IS DENTAL PHOBIA?: Prevalence and Etiology by Dr. Michael Krochak
Dental phobia is the serious, often paralyzing fear of seeking dental care. It has been reliably reported that 50% of the American population does not seek regular dental care. An estimated 9-15% of all Americans avoid much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience. This translates to some 30 - 40 million people so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether, In terms of your dental health and overall well-being, this can have serious ramifications. Besides chronically infected gums and teeth which can affect your medical status, your ability to chew and digest can be seriously compromised. Without healthy gums and teeth, your speech can be affected as well. Your self confidence can be compromised if you are insecure about your breath and smile. This can lead to serious limitations in both your social and business environments.
WHY DO I FEAR THE DENTIST? by Dr. Michael Krochak
Dental phobias and anxiety stem from various sources. These can lead to a strongly conditioned fear response. The following are the most common origins of dental fear:
Previously painful or negative experiences during visits to a dentist's office. This can even include careless comments made by a dentist or hygienist during a past examination.
A severe discomfort with feeling helpless and/or out of control in the dental situation.
A sense of embarrassment of your dental neglect and fear of ridicule and/ or belittlement when you present to the dental office.
Scary anecdotes of negative dental experiences learned vicariously from family and friends.
Negative, menacing portrayals of dentists in movies, TV, newspapers and magazines.
A sense of depersonalization in the dental process, intensified by today's necessity for the use of barrier precautions, such as masks, latex gloves and shields.
A general fear of the unknown.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY DENTAL FEAR? by Dr. Michael Krochak
The first thing you can do is to realize that your dental fear can be overcome. Fear is a learned behavior which, therefore, can be unlearned. Patient-centered behavior modification that treats you as a whole person, not as a set of teeth can help you overcome your fears. This will obviously take a team approach between you and your dentist and his/her staff. Communication is the key. You must feel comfortable expressing your fears and concerns and have a sense that you are being listened to. If you feel that the Dr. and/or staff is not genuinely concerned and listening, then absolutely feel comfortable with seeking out referrals to other offices.
You should never compromise the level of communication that you feel is necessary to give you a sense of control over your situation in the dental office. Modern dentistry with a compassionate dental team can be truly painless. You can desensitize yourself to your fears if you take the first step and allow the right team to help you overcome your fears. (Look for a future article on "How to Choose the Right Dentist")
A Sense of Control
Explanation and clarification of any and all procedures proposed is your right as a patient. If you have a question about a particular procedure, ask it! Empower yourself with the knowledge to alleviate fear of the unknown. You should have input into treatment decisions and choices. You should be honest with your dentist regarding how much treatment you think you can tolerate at first. As you build confidence in yourself and trust in the team that is caring for you, the length of your appointment and the amount of work accomplished will increase.
A Signaling System should be established allowing you to stop for any reason, whether it be because you need more anesthesia, want to rinse out, or simply need a two second break. The most common signal is raising your hand.
Never be Embarrassed
If you have been ridiculed in the past for your behavior or if you are embarrassed by your present dental condition caused by your neglect, please express yourself honestly and give your present dentist a chance to understand your concerns and show you that they care. You will be amazed at the wealth of treatment options that you might not have thought were possible. With modern dentistry, it's never too late to recreate a new smile!
Relaxation Techniques
If you feel tense in the chair, the easiest way to relax is through forms of physical relaxation. A relaxed body promotes a clear and relaxed mind. The human body cannot be physically relaxed and mentally anxious at the same time! The brain won't process these feelings simultaneously. Physical relaxation methods are easier to accomplish at first as compared to cognitive ones, so practice forms of physical relaxation first.
Examples of physical relaxation are Diaphragmatic Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and various methods taught in yoga . There are numerous books and sources for these methods. If you induce relaxation in the presence of the stimuli that normally induces your fears (the dental environment), the fear response will be greatly diminished over multiple exposures and you will gradually desensitize yourself to these fears as you build confidence. The memories of traumatic visits will be replaced with more innocuous ones and this less threatening environment coupled with your relaxation methods will help you eliminate your fears.
Distraction
As you get more comfortable in the dental environment, you can engage in various distraction techniques that many offices have. The use of a Walkman or Discman is a common technique. Many offices now are equipped with Virtual Reality-like glasses that provide both visual and auditory distraction by allowing you to view videotapes through these glasses while having dental work done. We only suggest using distraction techniques once you have established some trust and confidence because your ability to communicate will be compromised, although it is easy to stop any of these devices if need be.
Predictable Pain Control
Modern dentistry has many new techniques with regards to the administration of local anesthetics to block any possibility of pain. There are many people who have anatomical or biologic variations that do require more individualized techniques in order to predictably achieve proper local anesthesia. This variation must be respected and communicated to your dentist. All injections should be given slowly. The needle itself is not the major cause of discomfort, but in fact, it is the pressure and volume of the fluids being injected that causes the discomfort. There are also great differences in the types of tissue in various locations, anatomically and from person to person, that must be considered when administering injections. There are even computer-controlled machines that are now available to standardize the injection process and make it more predictable than the conventional hand-held syringe.
COMMUNICATE, EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE AND TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEARS!
Dental Anxiety Self-Test
Many people have a high level of anxiety and avoid visiting the dentist. This can cause future dental problems. Below are some questions that, if answered yes, may signify that you have some form of dental anxiety. It is important to note, however, that many new, wonderful products and procedures are available that can make the dental visit a pleasant experience.
Do you feel slight uneasiness and tension the evening prior to your dental visit, which makes you cancel your dental appointment?
While waiting in the reception area of the dental office, do you feel nervous about the visit?
Have you had a prior dental experience that was unpleasant?
While in the dental chair, do you feel uneasy and anxious?
Does the thought of having a dental injection make you feel physically ill and tense?
Does seeing the dentist or dental hygienist's instruments make you anxious?
Do you feel embarrassed that the dentist will say you have the worst mouth they have ever seen?
Do objects placed in your mouth during the dental visit make you panic and feel like you cannot breath correctly?
Do you feel that your dentist is unsympathetic only with you?
Fear In The Dentist's Chair
What is the cause of dental phobia? According to a recent study in the British Dental Journal, dental phobia is initiated by a bad experience that unknowingly has become associated with dentistry.
The study has found that despite the advancement of modern techniques and the use of very effective anesthetics, patients still seem to maintain the same level of anxiety as they did years ago. The proportion was shown to be the same today as it was in the 1930's.
Dr. Ruth Freeman of Queens University Dental School in Belfast, wrote the article and explains that if all dental phobia were related to painful experiences from a patient's life, the condition should have gotten better over the years because of all the advanced techniques available today. This however is not the case and it suggests that dental phobia is brought on by outside experiences which are then related to dental experiences.
There are some techniques for relaxation that a dentist can put into practice for people with such trauma. Patients may be given sedation and be informed about pain control and they may be given the advantage of being able to control their own pain by stopping and starting treatment using hand signals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
