Claire Engleby, a reformed dental phobic patient treated by Ken Harris at Riveredge in Sunderland, talks exclusively to a national women’s weekly magazine about how this simple device has transformed her life. The recent feature has resulted in a surge of interest in Vibraject from the general public.
When Vibraject is used to give a local anaesthetic, many patients don’t even know they have had an injection. It works because Vibraject – a small barrel which is attached to a regular syringe – makes the needle vibrate and this sensation reaches the brain first, masking the feeling of pain. This conforms with the well-established Gate Control Theory of Pain.1
Claire’s story is likely to resonate with the 25% of adults in the UK who delay seeking help for a painful dental condition due to dental anxiety.2
Fear of the dentist was a trauma for much of Claire’s life and had a long-term damaging effect on her confidence.
Ken Harris at Riveredge reassured her that they could offer a pain free dental injection using Vibraject.
This proved to be a breakthrough for Claire and it enabled her to make a start on the dental treatment she so badly needed.
Claire says: 'Overcoming my dental phobia with the help of Vibraject and Riveredge has changed my attitude to life in so many ways. I have more patience and understand that change doesn’t happen overnight. I have more confidence. I smile and laugh more which in turn makes me happier.'
Ken Harris said: 'It’s been a wonderful new way to help our nervous patients overcome their fear.'
For more details visit: http://www.vibraject.eu/
- Melzack R, Wall P. The gate control theory of pain mechanisms. Science 1965 Nov ID; 150 (699): 971-979. In short, the theory is based upon the finding that sensations of pressure
and vibration successfully compete with sensations of pain for transmission to the brain so the vibrations essentially mask the patients’ discomfort during local injections.
- Kelly M, Steele J et al. Adult dental health survey – oral health in the UK 1998. London: The Stationery Office, 2000
For further information:
www.vibraject.co.uk
