Disabled teen with a fear of the dentist

Apr 16 2009 By Russell Butt

Ben Brown receives treatment

A teenager terrified of trips to the dentist is overcoming his fear thanks to special treatment by dental experts.

Ben Brown, 16, from Egham, has multiple learning disabilities and requires 24-hour care from his parents, Sally and Ian. Dentist visits made Ben panic so much he wouldn't open his mouth.

But leading work by the Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry at Guy's Dental Hospital, London, has lead to him finally beginning a course of treatment to help protect his teeth. His second visit of which is next month.

Mrs Brown says that Ben's phobia stemmed from an early age. She explained: "“Ben has always been very sensitive in his mouth. Attempting to brush his teeth required at least two people to help, and is getting increasingly difficult the older and stronger he gets.

“Trips to the dentist were an absolute trauma. In the waiting room he’d realise where he was and start becoming very distressed. He would be so anxious he would clench his mouth shut so the dentist couldn’t even see his teeth."

His parents were concerned as his condition prevented him from being able to communicate if he had toothache or other problems. Ben was referred to the paediatric dental team at Guy's where he underwent general anaesthetic to carry out any necessary dental work.

They suggested help from the Sedation and Special Care Department, where Ben became a patient at 16.

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