Meet Abbie and Dottie, Driftwood Dental’s Therapy Dogs

It’s no secret that dental offices can be anxiety-inducing for patients. Drills and root canals don’t leave me feeling all that warm and fuzzy either. 

Anti-anxiety medications are helpful, but I can offer our more nervous patients another option: sweet, happy, fluffy – and most importantly, calming – dogs! 

Driftwood Dental is the proud host of two certified therapy dogs: Abbie and Dottie, who are both fully therapy-trained golden retrievers. They spend most of their time at the home of my business partner, Dr. Prasad Vasamsetti, but when they’re working, they’re generally in our office every other Friday. That’s when we do our big surgeries – like extractions and dental implants – and the pups are available to offer their soothing support to anxious patients.  

It’s not a cure-all, but therapy dogs can do a lot to help relieve stress. Simply petting a dog has been linked with an increase in oxytocin. Interactions with therapy dogs have been shown to reduce anxiety by lowering a rapid heart rate and decreasing heightened muscle tension. Touch, warmth, and rhythmic petting can also reduce stress responses, in addition to shifting focus away from a potentially stressful event like a dental procedure. 

Working with patients who have avoided regular dental visits due to fear and embarrassment can be challenging. Through the years, I have learned to take the time to listen, explain each step, and make experiences as gentle as possible. Ultimately, I want to ensure patients feel respected in the dental chair. Learning this aspect of dentistry helped change my mindset from just “fixing teeth” to being someone who can restore trust, dignity, and confidence.  

I love Abbie and Dottie, and I’m grateful and proud of their role at Driftwood Dental. 

Read more about the practice at driftwooddentalilm.com.