A 13-year-old boy from Rørvik has conquered his fear of dentists through a specialized program now expanding across Norway. Leander Holmvik Sørensen used to dread dental visits, particularly the drill and other equipment. His experience with the 'Safe Children in Dental Treatment' program changed everything.
Leander participated in the program with his parents and dental hygienist at Ytre Namdal Dental Clinic. The initiative provides dental staff with specialized training to help anxious young patients. It represents a major step in addressing dental phobia among children.
Psychological specialist Linda Marie Strumpedal explained the program's approach. 'Many children struggle specifically with injections,' she said. 'They come to our central team or decentralized teams and undergo exposure therapy for these specific concerns.'
The program began in Trøndelag county and will now expand nationwide. Twelve of Norway's fifteen counties already participate in the project's steering group. This expansion promises more consistent dental care access for children across the country.
Research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology reveals the scale of this issue. Up to one in five children and adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for dental treatment phobia. This statistic underscores the program's importance for public health.
Psychologist Lena Myran emphasized the value of simple communication. 'Just tell your dentist you're afraid,' she advised. 'The dentist is a good friend who wants to help. You don't need to ask in a special way.'
For Leander, exposure therapy made the crucial difference. 'We planned how we would handle the drilling,' he recalled. 'They showed me how everything worked and took it step by step.'
His father Marius Sørensen expressed relief at the transformation. 'The staff here have been amazing,' he said. 'They've done a fantastic job. This has made our daily life much easier. When we say he's going to the dentist now, it's just: yes, no problem.'
The national rollout comes as dental statistics show concerning trends. Young people visit dentists less frequently than older adults and often have more cavities when they do receive care. Programs addressing dental anxiety could help reverse these patterns.
Norway's healthcare system has increasingly recognized the importance of mental health in medical settings. This dental program represents part of that broader trend toward integrated care that addresses both physical and psychological needs.
The expansion will create more uniform standards for treating dental anxiety across Norway's counties. It demonstrates how successful regional initiatives can become national models when they prove effective.