Dubai, UAE - Hypnodontics, or the use of hypnosis, is an excellent drug-free alternative to sedation that promotes calm and relaxation. This is preferable for the anxious little ones who do not want to use nitrous oxide or medication to relax. In hypnodontics, your child will sit comfortably while your pediatric dentist instructs your child with verbal recommendations and breathing exercises. Within a few minutes, your child will be in a hypnotic condition, which will assist them to relax and prepare for the treatment. Hypnodontics can also help adults overcome their phobia of the dentist.

Known as a unicorn in the dental world through her hypnodontics, Dr. Yasmin Kottait is one of the best dentists for kids in Dubai with a cognitive-based hypnotherapy diploma from the UK. "For children, hypnosis in dentistry can be a transformative experience. It allows them to deeply relax, encourages a sense of ease and cooperation, and makes their dental visits more pleasurable and stress-free", says Dr. Yasmin.

Types of Hypnosis in Dentistry
There are two types of hypnosis: deep hypnosis (which is more difficult to produce and is used infrequently in dentistry) and light hypnosis (which is used in dentistry). Light hypnosis is more quickly accomplished and serves the objective of reducing a fearful young patient's anxiety or dental fear.

Hypnodontics uses controlled suggestion and/or total hypnosis in dentistry. It does not necessarily replace anaesthesia in standard dental operations. It's rather used with them as an addition via controlled suggestion. Controlled suggestion is the deliberate and careful introduction of a suggestion into the brain in order to promote a certain impact or diminish a negative one.

The two types of suggestion that are commonly employed in hypnodontics are:
Direct Suggestion: the most prevalent form of hypnosis, which your child will receive while they are fully conscious.
Indirect Suggestion: This works by bypassing awareness and influencing perceptual processes subliminally. Your child is almost never aware that they have been subjected to the suggestion.

Once a suggestion is carried out, it can have various effects on your child. Areas of their body may feel colder or warmer, or they might feel a tingling sensation. Their arms may rise or float in the air and their legs may stiffen. They might have a lot of emotions flowing through a result of the trigger. Your child might also experience changes in their ideas or beliefs.

"Hypnosis is a powerful tool that allows me to form strong bonds with my patients, fostering trust and cooperation. We can ease dental anxiety by tapping into their subconscious mind, paving the way for a lifetime of positive oral health habits and cheerful smiles", says Dr. Yasmin.

How is hypnodontics helpful?
Hypnosis can be beneficial in two ways: it can help your child relax during the treatment and it can assist your dentist save time. Many people have been known to avoid dentists because of fear and anxiety, and Hypodontia is one such instrument that can assist in reducing one's phobia or anxiety in a dental setting.

Hypnodontics help in the following ways
Eliminate your child’s stress, anxiety, or dread of pain, as well as any associated discomfort.
Fear of dentists and dental procedures can be eliminated
Increase your child’s responsiveness
Help your child stay comfortable during lengthy and difficult dental procedures.
Anaesthesia (numbing) or analgesia (pain relief drug) can be reduced during dental treatments.
Replace or in addition to, pre-medication
Gagging and nausea and can be prevented
Post-procedure healing is faster
Modification in undesirable dental habits, such as Bruxism (unintentional grinding of teeth) and poor dental hygiene.
Other dental disorders for which hypnosis can be effective include habits such as thumb or finger sucking in children, nail biting, lip biting, and other behavioural modifications.


Step-by-step procedure used in dental clinics to achieve hypnosis

Mindset or indoctrination: These are the first steps in establishing an association between your child and the practitioner before any hypnotic procedure is conducted. It involves a discussion between the parent and the dentist concerning misconceptions or incorrect notions about hypnodontics. To employ Hypnodontics on a patient, both the dentist and the patient must show consent, understand what goes into the procedure, and be receptive.

Testing: It is used to evaluate a patient's susceptibility to hypnosis. During this phase, your child is assessed or determined whether or not hypnosis will be beneficial to them.

Introduction: This is the initial step in inducing hypnosis. There are two methods for introducing hypnosis: direct (with the patient's consciousness) and indirect (without the patient's awareness) as discussed earlier.

Inducing hypnosis can be accomplished through vocal instructions, as well as breathing techniques taught to your child by a hypnotherapist.

Deepening: After hypnosis has been initiated, which is usually sufficient for dental treatments, the deepening phase is used, which may require numerous sessions to complete.

While it may only take a few minutes to create a light hypnotic state, it may take several sessions to deepen it to the level required for the purpose accordingly. This necessitates training, patience, perseverance, and sound judgement of the practitioner. Thus, ensure you check the credentials of the practitioner thoroughly.

Utilisation or operation: This is the stage at which the achieved hypnosis is put to use by conducting dental operations or any other procedure that is necessary. Hypnosis can be used for a variety of purposes.

Posthypnodontic suggestions: This is the step in which your child is gradually pulled out of hypnosis.

As the name implies, post-hypnotic suggestions are designed to have an effect after the hypnotic state has finished.

Dehypnodontics, also known as termination: It is the process by which your child is entirely awakened from their hypnotic state. They can now go home with you from the Dental clinic or office.

There have been several developments in its application in recent years, which have helped prove hypnosis in dentistry to be a highly beneficial tool in relieving patients of dental anxiety and dental phobia. With the right suggestions, it’s possible to alter the way your child feels, the way they think, and the way they behave. Therefore, it's important to visit a certified Hypdontics practitioner.

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of Pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.