The emotional freedom technique helps anxious children settle before treatment begins. It relieves anxiety, fear, physical pain and deeper emotional blocks.
Emotions as energy in motion
Emotions are described as energy in motion. For example, high-energy emotions appear as happiness, bravery, confidence and fearlessness.
Low-energy emotions look very different. For instance, they show as fear, anxiety, apprehension or denial. Sometimes they appear as stubbornness, or as rejection of the very help on offer. In other words, these are depleted states where blocked energy reflects a blocked life source.
How it works
The emotional freedom technique runs parallel to the Chinese philosophy of acupressure. Energy flows through certain meridian points in the body.
When we enter a depleted emotional state, that flow becomes blocked. Consequently performance is blocked too. Therefore tapping is intended to open those blocks. Once the central energy returns, the physical, emotional and mental systems work normally again.
Using it in the dental chair
In pediatric practice, the emotional freedom technique releases fear and anxiety. Children worry about the unknown, about needles and drills, and about simply getting through the appointment. Because those fears arise for many reasons, a flexible tool helps.
The technique involves tapping on specific meridian points. As a result, the central energy flow reactivates. Concentration improves, fear releases, and the child understands what is happening far better.
The tapping points
Tapping is practised subtly during treatment if a child is anxious. Because it passes instructions to the subconscious brain, the conscious brain then responds positively. The points reachable from the right side of the dental chair are:
- Crown
- Upper brow
- Outer eye
- Lower eye
- Temporal lobe
- Hand
Parents receive a brief explanation and give consent beforehand. After that, children experience a gentle tapping massage for sixty to ninety seconds. Besides calming them, it gives a welcome break from holding the mouth open.
When it is not enough
The technique reportedly helps in the majority of cases. Notably, a child does not need to believe in it for it to work.
Occasionally fear is very deeply rooted. In those cases subtle tapping may not suffice, and treatment under general anaesthesia may be recommended instead, depending on what is needed. Related approaches include neurolinguistic programming.
Behaviour guidance of this kind is recognised as core to paediatric care by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Book a calm appointment in Dubai
If your child freezes or panics at the dentist, tell us before the visit and we will plan for it. Call +971 50 682 3462 or book an appointment with Dr. Imneet Madan in Dubai.
