How to end fear of the dentist | Sharonne Zaks | TEDxSydney

Dr Sharonne Zaks is on a mission to transform the way dentistry is practised, enhancing the connection and joy for both patients and dentists. The mouth is especially vulnerable, and finding novel ways to give power back to patients with care and compassion offers benefits far beyond fixing teeth. This is particularly meaningful for patients for whom power has been abused in the past. Dr Sharonne Zaks is not your average dentist/musician. She has over 20 years of experience in private practice in Melbourne and regional Victoria, with a special focus on anxious and phobic patients, and survivors of sexual assault and trauma. Sharonne’s new approach is drawn from trauma informed care, her clinical experience and other research. The free video resources she made are being used to empower survivors and to train dentists locally and internationally.

Combining her passions, Sharonne created the dental cabaret ‘Gobsmacked; a celebration of the mouth’ to help make flossing more sexy and appealing to teenagers and adults. She completed an advanced diploma of music and has played the piano and trumpet in bands at venues and music festivals around Australia for many years. Her band Madre Monte supported The Cat Empire on their national tour. Sharonne has also performed in the Melbourne international comedy festival and fringe festivals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx