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Some of the below may not apply to you. As always, please ignore the bits that don't apply. The below is not gospel - take
from it what you want, and add in what you feel is missing from it.
Time of Day
You should schedule the appointment at a time when you feel most relaxed (in the normal way, that is =)! Not on Doomsday).
If you're a morning person and you want to get it over and done with without having to wait all day, that might be the first
appointment of the day - which also pretty much guarantees that there's no hanging around the waiting room for too long. If
you're a night-owl who's cranky in the morning, the last appointment of the day might be your best bet. The disadvantage of
this is that you might have to spend some time in the waiting room, as dentists often run late (with emergencies etc. dropping
in during the day and all the rest). The advantage is that the waiting room might be emptier (which some people prefer), and
that your dentist won't be looking at his/her watch too often cos the next patient is waiting to come in! So you can have
your panic attack in peace... If you find the "waiting room" bit really hard (some waiting rooms are more fun than
others), but don't like early mornings either, a good choice is the first appointment after the lunch break. So take your
pick!
First impressions - Trust your instincts!
The vast majority of people who've overcome their dental phobia will tell you - you WILL know when you have found the right
dentist!
Some things to watch out for:
* How does your dentist greet you? This will tell you a lot about chairside manner.
* How does s/he treat the staff? Do they seem comfortable around your dentist?
* Is the place clean? Avoid places which aren't!!! Instruments should definitely not be laid out in plain sight (again,
infection control standards - the added benefit is that it's less unnerving if you're scared).
* What's the overall atmosphere like? Is it relaxed, laid-back, and friendly?
* Most of all, do you feel instinctively comfortable with them?
HAZARD WARNING: If the treatment room isn't clean, forget about it, regardless of how "nice" the dentist appears.
People with a dental phobia often have appallingly low standards when it comes to dentists, and may be "sucked in"
just because someone isn't downright horrible. Make sure you feel VERY comfortable with the dentist.
Don't tough it out!
Pretty much the worst mistake you can make! Why act tough if it's so much easier to get treated with kids' gloves if you act
scared? You may think "I don't have to 'act' scared, I'm scared to death anyway", but even so, you may want to try
and lay it on a bit thick - it'll take your mind of trying to fight your sense of panic. Or if you're scared to death, just
openly show it. Fighting panic only fuels the fire, so go with the flow. Acting brave will most likely add to your sense of
panic. Be honest and open about your fears! Your dentist can't help you if you aren't.
By the way, I've come across reports about one and the same dentist who'll treat their fearful clients very differently depending
on whether they appear scared or not - take a wild guess who reckons their dentist was wonderful with them? (answer in case
you didn't guess: the person who acts scared).
Be open about your fears - or be prepared
It is essential that, during your first appointment, you will be able to communicate your fears. If you reckon you cannot
do this verbally (and some people find they're lost for words), write down your fears, or alternatively, what you'd need to
know from your dentist in order to be able to let them have a look, undergo treatment, or whatever else. You can then pass
on this written information, either on a sheet of paper, or via e-mail (be aware though that e-mails may get lost or deleted
by mistake).
The only way your dentist will be able to alleviate your fears is by knowing about them! They're not mind-readers or miracle
workers. You have to do your bit. Be sure to mention even minor concerns - doesn't matter if you think they're "stupid"
or "irrational".
How far should I go?
If you don't like the dentist, not very far (i. e. you should make your excuses and leave). If you think this would be impossible
for you to pull off, it's a good idea to ensure, as far as possible, that you meet the right dentist first time round (see
previous sections). Or bring someone you trust with you.
If you reckon you've found the right dentist, go as far as you feel comfortable! As a rule-of-thumb, you may want to let
your dentist have a quick look (rather than an in-depth exam) during your first visit - this will get rid of the embarrassment
factor, which is a huge hurdle for many (but not all) people who are terrified of dentists. Plus whatever else you can manage
without feeling too uncomfortable - your dentist will take the lead on that one to some extent. For example, some people might
get as far as x-rays, or sitting in "the chair", or trying out some of the equipment, but it really depends on the
individual. The first appointment should really be used to build rapport with your dentist, and allow him or her to alleviate
some of your fears.
BUPA (a global health and care organisation) have put together the following tips for your first visit:
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Handy Hints:
Specific points that you can raise during this first session include:
* Timing: ask your dentist to let you go at your own pace. For example, you might choose to have an X-ray and examination
at the next appointment, or you may only feel ready to try sitting in the chair. As you take each step and find that you can
cope with it, the level of anxiety will be reduced.
* Control: discuss with your dentist that you want to have some control over the amount of dental work that is done. It's
important that you don't feel pushed further or faster than you can cope with. A useful way of making sure you feel in control
is to discuss a signal - such as a raised hand - that lets the dentist know you need to stop for a break.
* Specific concerns: make sure you tell your dentist if there are specific areas that make you anxious, or if you have
had traumatic experiences with dentistry in the past. Ask questions about anything that worries you, and allow the dentist
to reassure you. Dentistry has advanced so much in recent years that treatments can be totally painless.
* Choices: find out if the practice offers sedation, hypnotherapy or counselling to support nervous patients. These treatment
options are described in more detail below.
If, by the end of the session you do not feel comfortable with the first dentist you meet, do not feel obliged to proceed.
Instead, arrange to visit another dentist on your shortlist."
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/dental_anxiety.html
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What is regarded as "best practice" in relation to treatment planning? Are there exceptions?
It's a good idea stay away from dentists whose treatment plan starts off with restorations or extractions (unless these are
intended for pain relief or if there's another pressing reason) rather than a cleaning. Sure, they are the rare exception
rather than the rule, but it's definitely something to be aware of! If you're in any way concerned about this, please post
on our message board!
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"Why do some dentists start off with extractions and then move on to restorations, leaving the cleaning till last?? -
Confused"
(UK dentist): "That's not what they're taught: Pain relief, prevention, perio (gums to you), definitive restorative then
extractions... Dunno, I'll need to think about that a bit. I can't think of any good reasons for doing so at the moment, not
for a simple prophy, the potential benefit doesn't appear to really balance the risk.
Anyway, if you can't see you can't diagnose, so you've got to start with the cleaning to:
1) Work out what the compliance for oral hygiene is going to be like
2) Clean off the grot to see the extent of the disease
So I can't see a good reason to not start with a cleaning."
(US dentist): "Yes, we were taught to treatment plan, then pain relief if needed, then preventative services which can
include perio and/or restorations, the cosmetic treatments. But today, this is lost on many of my colleagues! They often do
all at once or do the cosmetic ($) first!
There can be exceptions to the usual order of treatment - for example, I might want to do the extractions early on, so
the gums would be healed in time for partial dentures. While the healing goes on, I could do the restorations. Also the extractions
would change the periodontal condition, so why not do them before that?"
HAZARD WARNING: Any treatment plan which doesn't start off with a cleaning should be taken as a warning sign (exception: emergency
treatment for the purpose of pain relief), unless there's some really compelling reason! You asking for it does not count
- it's your dentist's job to convince you otherwise... If unsure, please post on our message board. Sometimes, a dentist may
do a couple of small things if you feel up to it, just to show you that there's nothing to be concerned about, especially
if they have a hygienist and don't do the cleaning themselves.
The main reasons why dentists would leave a cleaning until last are (a) they want to max out your insurance and don't
care about long-term results, (b) they're incompetent (rare), (c) they hope the work will fail so they can then redo it and
charge you again, (d) you've fallen into the hands of Dr Mengele...
It is rare for this to happen nowadays, but it's a warning sign that you need to be aware of. My alarm bells always go
off when I read about this happening... and it usually ends in tears.
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Don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back!
If things went well - you've just done something incredible, maybe even something you never thought possible! You should feel
really proud of yourself (and your dentist)!!
If there's anything you feel unsure about, or if things for some reason didn't go according to plan, please don't hesitate
to post on our message board for support and advice. Or if things went great - consider leaving a message on the board, as
it really helps others trying to work up the nerve to get where you are now!
What Next?
That's really between you and your dentist - it's not within the scope of any website to anticipate that! Some people feel
over the moon and completely trust their dentist immediately, with minimal or no support. Others experience feelings of guilt
over the past, and others again have specific questions about treatments. Please don't hesitate to post on our forum - that's
what it's there for!
I'd like to say "thank you"...
If you'd like to say "thank you" to that special dentist but don't know how - apart from saying "thank you"
in person (which is always very much appreciated!!) - here are some ideas, straight from the dentists' mouths:
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