Hypnosis in the Dental Chair: How Susie Raso Is Transforming Dental Issues
Most people don’t associate the dentist with relaxation. The whir of a drill, the smell of fluoride, and even the thought of a needle is enough to send many into a state of dread. But what if your next dental visit could feel calm - even empowering?
Meet Susie Raso, known as The Dental Concierge, who is blending decades of dental experience with the science of clinical hypnosis to help patients overcome dental anxiety and pain.
From Root Canal Rookie to Dental Expert
Susie’s journey began at just 18, working alongside a root canal specialist. She quickly witnessed the intense discomfort patients endure and felt called to help them through their dental journeys.
“I remember patients arriving with swollen faces and excruciating pain,” Susie recalls. “When you’ve experienced the agony of a root canal, you know nothing will settle until it’s treated. Helping someone through that is incredibly rewarding.”
This passion to comfort anxious patients grew over the years - especially those terrified of needles or even the scent of fluoride.
A Life-Changing Encounter with Hypnosis
The turning point came during a crown preparation procedure. One patient calmly requested no local anaesthetic.
“I thought she was nuts,” Susie laughs. “Cutting into teeth is sensitive! But she explained she used hypnosis to transfer any pain and went into a deep meditative state. Afterward, she told me she imagined hiking through a forest while moving the sensation elsewhere in her body. I was blown away.”
That single experience sparked Susie’s fascination with hypnosis and inspired her to train in the practice herself.
Helping Patients (and Dentists) Stay Calm
Dental anxiety doesn’t just impact patients - it affects the entire dental team. Anxious patients can make procedures more challenging and stressful for dentists.
Susie combines her deep dental knowledge with hypnotic techniques to create a calm environment:
She watches for subtle cues - skin colour changes, facial expressions, breathing shifts - indicating rising anxiety.
She guides patients into a relaxed, controlled state without forcing hypnosis.
She teaches dental teams how to maintain a steady, soothing presence.
“When the patient is relaxed, the dentist relaxes too,” Susie explains. “It creates faster healing for patients and less pressure for practitioners.”
Building High-Performance Dental Teams
Susie’s work extends beyond the chair. She’s the author of “The 11 Trade Secrets to Creating a High-Performance Dental Team,” a book that distills her decades of experience into practical strategies for team alignment and patient care.
“Walking into a dental practice, you can feel the energy,” Susie says. “When the team is cohesive, the patient senses it immediately.”
Her book is both a professional resource and a personal milestone - a way to share gratitude for the lessons and opportunities dentistry has given her.
Modern Dentistry Meets Modern Hypnosis
Dentistry has changed dramatically. From improved anaesthetics to the patient-centred approach, today’s practices are more advanced and empathetic.
Even COVID-19 played a role, pushing out outdated habits and making space for new ways to care for patients. Hypnosis is now poised to become an accepted part of that evolution.
For patients seeking whiter smiles, veneers, or any treatment that involves long hours in the chair, hypnosis offers a way to stay calm, comfortable, and fully in control.
How to Explore Hypnosis for Your Next Dental Visit
Susie emphasises that hypnosis is always used in collaboration with a dental provider. Patients should seek a referral from their dentist or request a hypnotic support plan before treatment.
“You’re always in a safe space,” Susie assures. “You remain in full control. Hypnosis simply helps you manage your experience.”
Key Takeaways
Hypnosis isn’t magic - it’s a proven technique for reducing anxiety and controlling discomfort.
A relaxed patient means a more relaxed dentist and smoother, faster recovery.
Building a high-performance dental team transforms the energy patients feel the moment they walk in.
As dental technology evolves, so should the way we support patients emotionally. With leaders like Susie Raso bridging dentistry and hypnosis, the future of dental care could be as calming as a forest walk.
