Nearly 3 in 4 Americans Are Afraid of the Dentist—Here’s What Dr. Roytberg Does About It

Dental Fear Is Highly Common—And Easily TreatedDental Fear Is More Common Than You Think — And More Treatable Than You Know

If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your stomach drop, you’re not alone. According to a 2025 census-matched study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, nearly 73% of U.S. adults report being afraid of the dentist, with 45.8% describing their fear as moderate and 26.8% saying it’s severe. That’s not a quirk or a character flaw. That’s the majority of American adults.

And yet, for most of those people, fear wins. Appointments get cancelled. Years pass. Small problems quietly become bigger ones.

At Dental Group of Westchester, Dr. Simon Roytberg has spent over 25 years helping patients in White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, and Rye, NY, get the care they need — comfortably and on their terms. Sedation dentistry is one of the most impactful tools in his practice, and it may be exactly what changes your relationship with the dentist for good.

Ready to beat your dental anxiety? Call our White Plains dental office at (914) 683-5203 to schedule your sedation dentistry consultation. 

Why So Many People Avoid the Dentist (And Why It Makes Things Worse)

Dental anxiety isn’t just a feeling — it’s a cycle. Fear leads to avoidance, avoidance leads to delayed care, and delayed care leads to more serious dental problems that require more extensive (and more anxiety-inducing) treatment. Research consistently shows that anywhere from 50 to 80% of adults in the United States experience some degree of dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. More than 20% of those anxious patients don’t see a dentist regularly, and between 9 and 15% avoid dental care altogether.

The consequences add up fast. The CDC reports that only 64% of U.S. adults visited a dentist in the past year, and roughly 25% of adults have untreated cavities right now. Left unaddressed, cavities progress to infections, extractions, and tooth loss—problems that cost significantly more to treat and that could have been avoided with routine care.

Fear of pain or discomfort is the most commonly reported reason adults cite for their dental anxiety. But the fear itself, not the actual pain, is often the bigger obstacle. Most modern dental procedures — especially when paired with sedation — are far less uncomfortable than patients imagine.

That’s where Dr. Roytberg comes in.

Why Patients Choose Dental Group of Westchester

Dr. Simon Roytberg is one of the top dentists in White Plains, NY, with over 25 years of experience providing comprehensive dental care. His approach is patient-first—every consultation is a genuine conversation, not a pitch. He takes the time to understand what makes you anxious, answer your questions honestly, and recommend only what’s right for your specific situation.

The team at Dental Group of Westchester is also multilingual, speaking English, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic, so language is never a barrier to getting the care and explanations you deserve.

As a multispecialty practice, everything happens under one roof—from routine cleanings and periodontics to full mouth reconstruction and dental implants. No referrals to outside offices, no coordinating between multiple providers, no extra logistical headaches. Just comprehensive care, delivered comfortably.

We welcome new and returning patients from White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, and Rye, NY, and throughout Westchester County.

What Is Sedation Dentistry, Exactly?

Sedation dentistry uses safe, carefully administered medication to help patients feel calm and relaxed during dental treatment. You remain conscious throughout—able to hear Dr. Roytberg and respond to his instructions—but the anxiety, tension, and sensitivity that normally make the dentist difficult simply fade into the background.

Think of it as turning the volume down on everything that makes dental visits stressful. The sounds of equipment, the clinical smells, the hyperawareness of every sensation — all of it becomes much easier to tune out. Many patients report having little to no memory of their procedure afterward, which they consider one of the best parts.

Sedation dentistry is not general anesthesia. You won’t be unconscious. You’ll simply be deeply comfortable—and for many patients who have avoided the dentist for years, that distinction is life-changing.

The Three Sedation Options at Dental Group of Westchester

Dr. Roytberg offers three levels of sedation so that your care can be tailored to your anxiety level, the length of your procedure, and your overall health. Every sedation appointment begins with a thorough consultation that includes a review of your medical history and current medications.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most widely used sedation options in dentistry. A small, comfortable mask is placed over your nose, and you breathe a carefully controlled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen throughout your procedure. Within a few minutes, most patients notice a warm, pleasant, floating sensation—tension melts away, and the whole experience becomes far more manageable.

One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide is how quickly it clears your system. Once the mask is removed, you’ll typically feel back to normal within 15 to 30 minutes, meaning most patients can drive themselves home and return to their regular day. It’s also an excellent and gentle option for children who feel nervous about dental treatment.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral sedation is one of the most popular choices for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety. You’ll take a prescribed medication—typically from the benzodiazepine family, such as Halcion or Valium—about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our White Plains office, you’ll feel noticeably calm and drowsy: deeply relaxed but still awake and able to communicate with Dr. Roytberg.

There’s no IV or needle required to administer the sedation itself, which many patients appreciate. Because the medication affects your coordination and reaction time, you’ll need a trusted adult to drive you to and from our office at 10 Mitchell Place, Suite #102, White Plains, NY 10601. Most patients who choose oral sedation have very little memory of their procedure — a feature many describe as the best possible outcome.

IV Sedation (Intravenous Conscious Sedation)

IV sedation delivers sedative medication directly into the bloodstream, producing a deeper state of relaxation than oral sedation or nitrous oxide. While you remain conscious and responsive, you’ll be profoundly relaxed—and the vast majority of patients have no memory of the procedure at all.

The key advantage of IV sedation is precision. Because the medication is delivered intravenously, the team can adjust your sedation level in real time to ensure you remain comfortable from start to finish. It’s the preferred choice for patients undergoing longer or more complex procedures, those with intense dental anxiety, or patients who want to combine multiple treatments into a single visit—getting months’ worth of work done in one comfortable appointment.

IV sedation requires fasting beforehand and a trusted adult companion for the ride home. Dr. Roytberg’s team will walk you through every preparation detail at your consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry isn’t reserved for people with severe dental phobias. It’s a smart, practical option for a much broader range of patients, including those who:

• Feel nervous or anxious before or during dental visits, even routine ones
• Have had a traumatic or painful dental experience in the past
• Have a sensitive gag reflex that makes treatment difficult
• Need to sit through a long or multi-step procedure
• Have difficulty getting fully numb with local anesthesia alone
• Want to combine multiple treatments into a single, efficient visit
• Have special needs that make it challenging to stay comfortable in the chair
• Simply want a more relaxed, stress-free experience overall

If you’ve ever said, “I hate the dentist,” or if you’ve been quietly putting off necessary care, sedation dentistry may be exactly what changes that.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Yes. When administered by a trained, experienced dentist who has reviewed your full medical history, sedation dentistry is safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.

At Dental Group of Westchester, your safety comes first. Before any sedation is recommended, Dr. Simon Roytberg conducts a comprehensive consultation that includes a review of your health history, current medications, and any conditions that could affect how your body responds to sedation. Monitoring equipment tracks your vital signs throughout the procedure, and the team is trained to respond to any changes that arise.

Some patients — including those with specific respiratory conditions or certain medication interactions — may not be appropriate candidates for particular sedation methods. That’s exactly why a consultation always precedes a sedation appointment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, and Dr. Roytberg would never recommend sedation that isn’t right for your individual situation.

What to Expect at Your Sedation Appointment

Once you and Dr. Roytberg have chosen the right sedation method, you’ll receive personalized preparation instructions. In general:

• For oral sedation and IV sedation: Avoid eating or drinking for a minimum of 6 hours before your appointment (exact instructions will vary — follow what our team provides). Arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from the office and stay with you for a few hours afterward. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours prior, and bring a list of any current medications and supplements.
• For nitrous oxide: No fasting is required in most cases. No driver is necessary. Let the team know about any nasal congestion or breathing difficulty, as this can affect how nitrous oxide works.
• Recovery: After nitrous oxide, most patients feel back to normal within 15 to 30 minutes. After oral or IV sedation, plan on a light, restful remainder of the day—most patients feel fully back to themselves by the following morning. Our team will review all post-procedure instructions with you (and your companion) before you leave.

Catch Up on Years of Missed Care — In One Visit

One of the most remarkable things about sedation dentistry is what it makes possible in terms of efficiency. Rather than scheduling five separate appointments—each one a potential source of anxiety—patients can have cleanings, fillings, extractions, periodontal treatment, and even implant placements combined into a single comfortable session.

For patients who have avoided the dentist for five, ten, or even twenty years, this is transformative. You can get caught up on everything you’ve put off without having to white-knuckle your way through multiple visits. Many of Dr. Roytberg’s patients who initially came in for sedation have gone on to become regular patients who no longer dread their appointments at all.

Ready to Finally Feel Comfortable at the Dentist?

You don’t have to keep putting it off. Whether you’ve been avoiding dental care for a year or a decade, Dr. Simon Roytberg and the team at Dental Group of Westchester are here to help you get the care you need — without the anxiety that’s been holding you back.

Call or text us today at (914) 683-5203 to schedule your sedation dentistry consultation at our White Plains dental practice. You can also book your appointment online at your convenience.

We’re located at 10 Mitchell Place, Suite #102, White Plains, NY 10601, and we proudly welcome patients from White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, and Rye, NY.

Your comfort is not an afterthought here — it’s the whole point.