Suzy Flanders had always dreamed of having a natural tooth extraction without pain medications, sedation, or local anesthesia, just like in the Bible or on an episode of Keeping Up With Kardashians. “When the day finally came on April 1st 2011, and my dentist recommended the removal of an impacted third molar, I almost couldn’t believe it,” Flanders explained. “After reading everything I could find online and talking to a few trusted friends and family members, the right choice became clear. I had to do what was best for me and for my precious tooth.”

What she found in her research was the consistent recommendation to have someone present during the procedure that had been through the experience themselves. Many proponents of natural dental care endorse this practice because there is evidence that it helps to reduce the need for harmful medications that might prevent a quick return to normal activity. They also argue that a dental procedure is about more than just the removal of an abscessed tooth or the correction of malocclusion, it’s about experiencing what the procedure feels like and discovering what you are capable of achieving. Natural dental care patients learn to manage their pain and remain open to the excitement and exhilaration of the process, and often report feeling higher levels of satisfaction. After all, modern humans have been experiencing the beauty of natural dental pain for 250,000 years.

After discussing the idea with her husband Daniel, Flanders decided to seek out the services of a dental doula.

What is a dental doula?

Similar to doulas that attend the birthing of children or farm animals, the specific focus of a dental doula involves being present prior to and during a procedure in order to provide reassurance, support, and information. The dental doula that Flanders found served as a calming presence and a firm voice of support and encouragement throughout the extraction. “We really connected. She had been through it all herself after a rollerblading accident resulted in a fractured maxillary central incisor, so she knew the pain that I was feeling. I was able to focus on her voice and cling to it like a piece of floating driftwood during a powerful storm.”

Introspective data from across the nation has shown an increasing utilization of dental doula services over the past decade. According to the American College of Dental Doulas spokesdoula Kate Orberton, people are realizing that dental doulas empower patients and ease communication with dentists, orthodontists, and their support staff without giving dental advice. Orberton stressed that dental doulas are not a replacement for licensed oral health professionals.

...https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/hiring-a-doula-for-dental-procedures/