<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>327896</docID> <postdate>2024-08-29 14:25:00</postdate> <headline>Dr Henriette’s ‘tremendous journey of innovation’</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-321045" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Integrated-Dental.jpeg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Dentist Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne with her two Roar awards… “a gentle, tender approach can be our greatest strength, whether in the dental surgery or more broadly.â€</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">excerpt</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Two years after moving Integrated Dental to Canberra, principal Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne says the process has been a “tremendous journey of innovationâ€.</b></span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Integrated Dental Canberra provides preventative, cosmetic and restorative specialty services such as wisdom teeth removal and root canal therapy.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">But it’s their commitment to creating a sanctuary of calm that Dr Henriette says is the driving force behind her practice.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Specialising in holistic, trauma-informed dentistry, Dr Henriette says Integrated Dental Canberra is committed to finding ways to make clients feel safer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Those with special needs, mental health disorders and neurodivergent characteristics greatly benefit from Dr Henriette’s integration of Eastern and Western modalities of treatment and, when possible, offers natural alternative options.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“We aim to create a safe, nurturing space akin to a dental spa experience – making it ideal for those with dental anxiety,†she says.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Dr Henriette says their trauma-informed approach is guided by five values: safety, choice, empowerment, collaboration and trustworthiness.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Choice is essential. We always give people choices – from the materials to the natural alternatives to fluoride or even pause the procedure if needed for a little break if it feels too overwhelming.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Empowerment refers to our clients. They should feel accommodated and supported in their decisions, guided by our knowledge and expertise.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Collaboration lies in the tailored management plan every client receives because not everybody has the same triggers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Trustworthiness is vital as a feeling of safety and support is needed, especially with dental services like root canal therapy.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Many people feel really embarrassed about their dental anxiety, so incorporating those five values in everything we do helps them know they won’t be judged at our clinic.â€<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Meanwhile, Dr Henriette says many people find visiting the dentist an overwhelming sensory experience, which can disproportionately impact neurodivergent people.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Neurodivergent [dentistry] refers to the autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia,†she says.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“But it also includes individuals with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“And that ties in with sensory sensitivities around light, smells, touch, behavioural and emotional regulation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“To support them, my team and I are dedicated to creating an atmosphere of safety, empowerment and choice – transforming their dental journey from dread to delight.â€<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Dr Henriette and her team use several tools and strategies to create a sanctuary of calm in her practice, such as stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system through weighted blankets, weighted eye pillows and different breathing modalities including deep breathing and box breathing.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“We also use auriculotherapy. Lots of points are represented on the ear and it’s a simple technique we can use for relaxation,†she says.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“It’s especially helpful for children and patients on the spectrum because they’re non-invasive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“You just stick them on the ear, and suddenly, you feel really floppy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“And we’ve got squishy toys as well as the usual pharmaceuticals – happy gas, anti-anxiety medications that we can prescribe an hour before their appointment or even IV sedation.â€<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">They also recently began utilising Pulsetto, a vagus nerve stimulator that helps the heart rate go down when waiting for the appointment to begin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“What we’re trying to create is a comfort menu, where it’s not about us forcing people to do things they don’t want to do, but they can choose depending on the level of anxiety depending on the type of supportive therapies they feel would be helpful for them,†says Dr Henriette.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“For some, it might be dry needling. For others, it might just be the weighted blanket.â€</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">Integrated Dental Canberra also works with a psychologist for cognitive behavioural therapy, so no matter what fears patients may have, they can feel supported.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Some of the anxious patients that we see haven’t been for 20 years – they’re that terrified,†she says.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“For some people, it’s due to a bad childhood experience. Or they may have sensory issues, where they really struggle with sensory things in their mouth.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“So it might be that sort of neurodivergent behaviour, but often it’s as we get older, we can develop certain fears and anxieties that weren’t there before.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">“Fears and anxieties can develop later in life for no apparent reason, but more often than not, they’re either medical or non-dental and trauma gets stacked up, we become more and more sensitive to things that are invasive.â€<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3">No matter what it is, Dr Henriette says they always work with patients to ensure they are comfortable, safe and supported, empowering them to smile with confidence every day.</p> <p class="p5"><i>Integrated Dental, 5/16 Moore Street, Civic. Call 6249 8551 or visit <a href="http://integrateddentalcanberra.au">integrateddentalcanberra.au</a></i></p> </body>