Dental anxiety is real — and it often walks into the room long before the patient takes a seat. But what if one of the most powerful ways to ease that anxiety isn’t found in a tool tray or treatment plan, but in your presence? As a dental assistant, your nervous system plays a crucial role in setting the tone for every visit. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind mirror neurons, emotional contagion, and how your calm energy can become the most therapeutic force in the operatory.
What Are Mirror Neurons?
Mirror neurons are specialized brain cells that fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else doing the same. First discovered in monkeys, scientists later identified similar systems in humans (Rizzolatti & Sinigaglia). These neurons are believed to be key players in empathy, learning, and emotional connection — especially in social environments like the dental operatory.
In simple terms: we feel what we see others feeling.
If you’ve ever cringed watching someone get a paper cut or found yourself laughing just because someone else is — that’s your mirror neurons at work. They allow us to “mirror” the emotional states of those around us.
In a dental setting, if a patient walks in and senses tension, rushed movements, or detachment, their body picks up on that stress and begins to mirror it. But when they encounter a calm, grounded, and emotionally present assistant, their nervous system starts to shift into a safer state (Gallese et al.).
Emotional Contagion in the Operatory
“Emotional contagion” is the process by which emotions pass from one person to another — like yawning, but with feelings. You don’t need to say a word to pass along emotional cues. Your tone of voice, facial expressions, posture, and even breathing patterns silently speak volumes (Hatfield et al.).
Dental visits are inherently stressful for many people. Patients are often in a vulnerable position — lying back, unable to speak clearly, surrounded by unfamiliar tools, sounds, and sensations. It’s no surprise that dental anxiety is among the most common phobias in the world.
And this is where your power as a dental assistant truly shines.
You are often the first person a patient interacts with — welcoming them, preparing the room, placing the napkin, offering comfort. What may feel like routine steps are actually key moments of nervous system regulation.
Nervous System Regulation Starts with You
A patient’s body is constantly scanning for clues:
Am I safe? Is this a threat? Can I relax?
This subconscious process, called neuroception, helps the brain decide whether to stay on high alert or shift into a more relaxed state. When you show up calm and present, your body sends powerful nonverbal signals: You’re safe. You’re cared for. You can relax.
Here’s how to put that into practice:
Walk with intention.
When you call a patient back, move slowly and purposefully. A rushed walk can activate their fight-or-flight response. A relaxed pace signals that everything is under control.
Speak in a calm, steady tone.
Your voice is one of the first emotional cues a patient picks up on. Avoid rushing through greetings or instructions. Instead, let your tone be warm, clear, and reassuring.
Match your body language to calm energy.
Soft eyes, open posture, steady breathing — these all reinforce a sense of safety. When you are centered, patients begin to mirror that same grounded energy.
This isn’t just about being polite or professional — it’s biological. You’re co-regulating their nervous system without them even realizing it.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In the post-pandemic world, people are carrying more anxiety than ever — about health, finances, work, and life in general. That tension often shows up in the dental chair, even if patients don’t say a word about it.
Dental assistants who are emotionally attuned and self-regulated are becoming some of the most valuable members of the dental team. Your emotional presence doesn’t just support the dentist — it supports the entire patient experience.
Creating calm isn’t about faking a smile or ignoring your own stress. It’s about developing the awareness and tools to regulate yourself, so you can help regulate others.
How to Stay Calm When You’re Under Pressure
Let’s be real — it’s not always easy to stay grounded when you’re short-staffed, running behind, or working with challenging patients. But small moments of self-regulation can make a huge difference.
🛠 Try These Quick Tools:
🟣 Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3–5 times. Use it between patients or during stressful procedures.
🟣 Grounding Techniques
Feel your feet firmly on the floor. Roll your shoulders back. Do a quick scan of your body and consciously release tension.
🟣 Intentional Pauses
Before entering the room, take one mindful breath and set an intention:
“I bring calm into this space.”
🟣 Positive Self-Talk
Replace critical inner chatter with compassionate reminders:
“I’m doing my best. I bring value. My presence matters.”
You Make the Difference
As a dental assistant, you’re more than just an extra pair of hands — you’re the emotional anchor of the operatory. Patients may not remember exactly what was said or what procedures were done, but they will remember how you made them feel.
When you walk into the room grounded, steady, and warm, you’re not just assisting — you’re healing.
Your energy becomes their energy.
Your calm becomes their calm.
And the best part? It’s contagious.
So next time you feel the tension in the room rise, remember:
You don’t have to fix everything.
Just be the calm.
And trust that your nervous system is one of the most powerful tools in patient care.
Works Cited
Gallese, Vittorio. “Embodied Simulation: From Mirror Neuron Systems to Interpersonal Relations.” Empathy and Mental Illness, edited by Tom F. D. Farrow and Peter W. R. Woodruff, Cambridge University Press, 2007, pp. 183–200.
Hatfield, Elaine, John T. Cacioppo, and Richard L. Rapson. Emotional Contagion. Cambridge University Press, 1994.
Porges, Stephen W. “The Polyvagal Theory: New Insights into Adaptive Reactions of the Autonomic Nervous System.” Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, vol. 76, suppl. 2, 2009, pp. S86–S90. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.76.s2.17
Rizzolatti, Giacomo, and Corrado Sinigaglia. Mirrors in the Brain: How Our Minds Share Actions and Emotions. Oxford University Press, 2008.
Siegel, Daniel J. The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. 2nd ed., Guilford Press, 2012.