Let hypnosis guide you to inner peace
As Glasgow prepares to welcome delegates to the XVII European Society of Hypnosis Congress, Mike Gow provides a preview.
After choosing hypnosis as the topic for my elective as a dental student under the guidance of the late Jimmy Gall, I undertook a basic training course with the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis (which I highly recommend) in 2000 and a few years later studied for a Master’s in Hypnosis Applied to Dentistry at University College London.
Probably the greatest influence in my passion for dental hypnosis, however, was fuelled by my attendance at a European Society of Hypnosis (ESH) Congress. The ESH congresses are held every three years and cater for all levels of experience in hypnosis, ranging from newcomers to experts and I can guarantee that you will leave with new ideas and tools that will influence your treatment, management and interactions with patients, staff and even friends and family.
Part of this comes from the creative, interactive and enjoyable workshops that are steeped in evidence-based approaches, and part of it is down to the passion and experience of those who are involved in teaching at these congresses and their unique drive to share what is often a lifetime of knowledge and experience with those who attend.
For these reasons, to say that I am excited about the fact that next ESH Congress will be held, for the first time, in Scotland and the phenomenal opportunity for Scottish dental teams to attend and learn, is an understatement. I can confidently say that learning about hypnosis will change everything for you, both professionally and personally, and I encourage you to grasp this opportunity with both hands to find out for yourself and ‘Let hypnosis guide you to inner peace’. A special discount has been arranged for readers of Scottish Dental, just mention the magazine when you register.
For dental professionals seeking effective, ethical and evidence-based ways to improve patient experience, the congress promises to be highly relevant and productive. I would even go so far as to say that you will find it to be a life changing experience. How many times do you attend a congress and hope to come away with one or two ‘nuggets’ that will change something about how you work forever? I predict that you will leave the ESH Congress with dozens of nuggets!
Hypnosis and contemporary dental practice
I am sure that you will agree that in modern dentistry it is increasingly recognised that technical excellence alone is not sufficient to achieve optimal outcomes.
Barriers such as dental anxiety, fear or phobia, or needle phobia, bruxism, TMJD, sensitive gag reflexes, acute and chronic pain, habits (smoking, vaping, nail biting, thumb sucking etc), poor patient oral hygiene motivation and compliance, the challenges in managing paediatric dentistry cases, salivation and bleeding control, denture, splint and orthodontic appliance tolerance, oral ulceration, difficulty in establishing rapport, engaging in effective language and communication and other behavioural challenges; all these significantly influence treatment success.
Clinical hypnosis directly addresses these factors, providing what are often simple techniques to facilitate the provision of the high standard of dental treatment we wish to provide, and the patient deserves to receive. The topics taught at this congress are a natural point of interest for the advancement of what we can achieve in dentistry for our patients and our teams.
The congress is expected to reinforce hypnosis as a structured clinical skill, rooted in neuroscience, psychology and communication science. For dentistry, this aligns well with a patient-centred approach, offering practical strategies that can be integrated into everyday practice without disrupting clinical workflows.
Managing dental anxiety and fear
Dental anxiety remains one of the most significant barriers to oral healthcare, affecting attendance, compliance and long-term oral health. This congress is anticipated to place a strong emphasis on anxiety management, including hypnotic and hypnotic-communication techniques designed to reduce anticipatory fear and procedural stress. This is emphasised by the congress motto, ‘Let hypnosis guide you to your inner peace’. This motto is in reference to what hypnosis can do for your patients, your team and, of course, importantly for yourself.
For dentists, hygienists and therapists, the approaches learned will offer a non-pharmacological means of improving cooperation and trust. Importantly, hypnosis in this context is often not about formal inductions or dramatic techniques, but about refined use of language, communication and rapport; skills that can be applied even in short appointments and applied in conjunction with ‘conventional’ techniques.
Pain perception and clinical comfort
Pain control is another area of hypnosis which is expected to feature prominently at the congress. While local anaesthesia and analgesics remain essential, hypnosis can influence how patients perceive and process pain. This has clear relevance for procedures such as periodontal therapy, oral surgery, endodontics and even minimally invasive restorative dentistry.
The congress is likely to explore how hypnosis can complement conventional pain management and conscious sedation techniques, potentially reducing intraoperative discomfort, postoperative pain and stress-related complications. For dental teams, this represents a unique opportunity to enhance patient comfort without increasing pharmacological burden, converting previously ‘unmanageable’ or ‘difficult’ cases into ones you can manage with ease.
Applications in paediatric and special care dentistry
Paediatric dentistry and special care dentistry stand to benefit significantly from advances discussed at the ESH Congress. Children, in particular, often respond well to imaginative and story-based hypnotic techniques that align with their natural cognitive styles.
Similarly, patients with heightened anxiety, strong gag reflexes, or difficulties tolerating dental procedures may benefit from hypnotic approaches that promote relaxation and focus. The Glasgow meeting is expected to highlight these applications within a framework of safety, consent and professional responsibility; key considerations for dental practitioners working with vulnerable populations.
Education, ethics and professional standards
A defining feature of ESH congresses is their emphasis on education and ethical practice. The 2026 congress is expected to continue this tradition, underscoring the importance of appropriate training, accreditation and working within one’s professional scope. For dentistry, this is a crucial message. Hypnosis is not presented as a stand-alone treatment, but as an adjunctive skill that enhances communication and patient care.
Dental professionals attending the congress will be encouraged to pursue structured education and to apply hypnotic techniques responsibly within established clinical frameworks supported by The British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis.
As dentistry continues to evolve towards more holistic and preventive models of care, the timing of the congress is particularly apt. It reflects a broader shift in healthcare towards integrating psychological insight with clinical expertise.
Looking ahead
The ESH Congress in Glasgow is set to be more than a theoretical gathering. For dental professionals, it represents an opportunity to engage with practical, evidence-based, approaches that address some of the most persistent challenges in practice.
As awareness of hypnosis in dentistry continues to grow, the discussions and ideas emerging from the congress are likely to influence clinical thinking well beyond the event itself. For dental teams committed to improving patient experience and outcomes, I would go so far as to suggest that attendance is essential. The motto of the Congress is ‘Let hypnosis guide you to inner peace’: join us and find out exactly what this means to you. I look forward to seeing you there!
Register for the event by visiting their website.
About the author
Dr Mike Gow is Clinical Director of Dental Anxiety Management at The Berkeley Clinic, Glasgow.