Skip to main content

How to use Grasp Aware?

It’s important to feel safe when visiting the dentist.

We know that it’s difficult for patients to speak up when they are at the dentist’s office. At the same time, it’s hard for the dentist to predict when things will become challenging for the patient.

The development of nervousness about going to the dentist is not related to pain or discomfort, but rather to anxiety and apprehension.

Control and communication are key factors to avoid anxiety and apprehension. Grasp Aware is developed to give control back to the patient and to facilitate communication between the patient and dentist.

Select between three
user modes

Grasp Aware is equipped with three distinct modes to enhance the dental care experience, each tailored to meet different patient needs and preferences:

Notification Mode: Allows patients to send a quick signal to their dentist for immediate attention, providing reassurance and a sense of safety during treatment.

Coping Mode: Enables patients to communicate the intensity of their discomfort in real-time, facilitating a responsive and patient-centered approach to dental care.

Distraction Mode: Offers a unique way for patients to distract themselves with audiovisual elements, reducing anxiety and making the treatment process more comfortable.

These modes empower patients with greater control over their dental treatment experiences, ensuring comfort and communication are at the forefront.

Notification mode

Notification mode allows patients to send an immediate signal to their dentist when needed. This can include, but is not limited to, a desire for a break, the need to rinse, a need to adjust position, or a signal to stop. This direct form of communication gives patients increased control during treatment, which can contribute to a more comfortable and secure experience.

Notification mode is intended to provide a comfortable experience for all patients undergoing dental treatment.

Instructions for using notification mode:

  • Hand over the Grasp device to the patient at the start of treatment.
  • Explain that a light press on the device will send a signal to you as the dentist, indicating a need or desire from the patient.
  • As a dentist, you should pause to confirm that you understand each signal by stopping the treatment and addressing the patient’s needs.

Coping mode

Coping mode allows patients to monitor and express the intensity of their symptoms in real-time through a graded auditory signal. A light to moderate press can indicate mild to moderate discomfort, while a stronger press signals an acute need to halt the treatment. The immediate auditory response provides the dentist with a clear indication of the patient’s condition, enabling a dynamic and responsive approach to patient care.

Coping Mode is designed for patients who wish to take a more active role in managing their own well-being during dental treatments.

Instructions for Coping Mode:

  • Hand the Grasp Aware device to the patient when they are ready for treatment.
  • Inform the patient that pressing the device will produce an auditory signal that varies in tone based on the intensity of the press.
    Different pressures will result in different sound intensities, informing the dentist of the patient’s status.
  • If a firm press is made, the sound will change in character. This indicates that you, as the dentist, must pause the treatment and immediately attend to the patient’s comfort and needs.

Distraction mode

Distraction mode is an innovative solution that allows patients to immerse themselves in a world of distraction to take their focus off the dental treatment itself. By using audiovisual distractions such as music or audiobooks, this mode helps patients focus on something other than the dental procedure. Distraction Mode also has an immediate stop function that is activated when patients press firmly on the Grasp Aware device. This triggers an alarm signal indicating that you, as the dentist, should stop the treatment immediately.

By utilizing Distraction Mode, the patient’s ability to cope with the dental treatment situation is enhanced. This can make a significant difference for patients with dental treatment fear or anxiety and contributes to a more comfortable treatment experience.

Instructions for Distraction Mode:

  • Preparation: Begin by explaining Distraction Mode to the patient and demonstrating the Grasp Aware device.
  • Choice of distraction: Allow the patient to choose a preferred audio experience before starting the treatment.
  • Operating instructions: Show the patient how they can start and control playback with a simple press on Grasp Aware.
  • Need to stop: Instruct the patient on how to use the stop function by pressing hard on the device if they want the treatment to stop immediately. As a dentist, be prepared to immediately respond to the alarm signal by pausing the treatment and addressing the patient’s needs.