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Two years after moving Integrated Dental to Canberra, principal Dr Henriette Macri-Etienne says the process has been a “tremendous journey of innovation”.

Integrated Dental Canberra provides preventative, cosmetic and restorative specialty services such as wisdom teeth removal and root canal therapy.

But it’s their commitment to creating a sanctuary of calm that Dr Henriette says is the driving force behind her practice.

Specialising in holistic, trauma-informed dentistry, Dr Henriette says Integrated Dental Canberra is committed to finding ways to make clients feel safer. 

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.

“We aim to create a safe, nurturing space akin to a dental spa experience – making it ideal for those with dental anxiety,” she says. 

Dr Henriette says their trauma-informed approach is guided by five values: safety, choice, empowerment, collaboration and trustworthiness. 

“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.

“Empowerment refers to our clients. They should feel accommodated and supported in their decisions, guided by our knowledge and expertise.

“Collaboration lies in the tailored management plan every client receives because not everybody has the same triggers. 

“Trustworthiness is vital as a feeling of safety and support is needed, especially with dental services like root canal therapy.

“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.” 

Meanwhile, Dr Henriette says many people find visiting the dentist an overwhelming sensory experience, which can disproportionately impact neurodivergent people. 

“Neurodivergent [dentistry] refers to the autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia,” she says.

“But it also includes individuals with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. 

“And that ties in with sensory sensitivities around light, smells, touch, behavioural and emotional regulation. 

“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.” 

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.

“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. 

“It’s especially helpful for children and patients on the spectrum because they’re non-invasive. 

“You just stick them on the ear, and suddenly, you feel really floppy. 

“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.” 

They also recently began utilising Pulsetto, a vagus nerve stimulator that helps the heart rate go down when waiting for the appointment to begin. 

“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.

“For some, it might be dry needling. For others, it might just be the weighted blanket.”

Integrated Dental Canberra also works with a psychologist for cognitive behavioural therapy, so no matter what fears patients may have, they can feel supported. 

“Some of the anxious patients that we see haven’t been for 20 years – they’re that terrified,” she says. 

“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.

“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.

“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.” 

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.

Integrated Dental, 5/16 Moore Street, Civic. Call 6249 8551 or visit integrateddentalcanberra.au