Dentistry 2027

Fear can keep a patient out of the dental chair long before it ever reaches the clinical team. Dental fear and anxiety are not simply behaviors to manage. They are often shaped by previous experiences, family narratives, culture, generational beliefs, communication, sensory triggers, and perceptions of control. These influences can affect how patients view dentistry, communicate their needs, seek care, and build trust with dental professionals. With more than 30 years of clinical dental hygiene experience, Hope Loyd, BSDH, RDH, brings a human-centered perspective to a critical question: What happens when we treat the fear before we treat the tooth? This practical and engaging session explores how dental fear can be influenced across generations and cultures—and why understanding a patient’s story may be as important as understanding their clinical history. Hope will introduce concepts from her Dental Fear Assessment Questionnaire™ and share strategies for identifying fear earlier, strengthening communication, increasing patient autonomy, and creating psychological safety. Participants will gain practical approaches for recognizing individual and culturally influenced fear patterns and adapting communication to create more trusting, patient-centered encounters. Ultimately, the goal is simple: help more patients move from fear to freedom and experience dentistry differently.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants will be able to:

• Identify psychological, generational, cultural, and experiential factors that contribute to dental fear.
• Recognize communication and environmental triggers that may increase fear or avoidance.
• Explore how family and cultural narratives can influence perceptions of oral healthcare.
• Apply practical strategies to increase patient autonomy, trust, and psychological safety.
• Adapt communication and care approaches to better meet the individual needs of fearful patients.

Hope Loyd, BSDH, RDH, is a dental hygiene leader, educator, speaker, and advocate with more than 30 years of clinical experience. She serves as President- Elect of the American Academy of Dental Hygiene for 2026–2028 and is the founder of Gums & Gossip™ LLC and host of Gums & Gossip™ Podcast. She is committed to advancing patient-centered care, strengthening communication, and helping people move from dental fear to confidence. “I’m passionate about changing the dental experience by helping patients feel heard, respected, and in control. Through my educational sessions and speaking, I encourage dental professionals to listen to each patient’s story, address fear with compassion, and build trust one conversation at a time.” Hope L “Every Smile Shares a Story” Hope L