Hamilton, New Zealand

[brit]

Possible website of interest to those in the Hamilton area:
http://www.drhenkeksteen.com/index.html
A dentist whose personalised car number plate is 'PAINLS'.
Modern micro-dentistry including waterlase as part of a friendly stress-free dental experience, according to website.
http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-rating...milton/Eksteen Excellent RateMDS rating so far.




And for the kids...? http://www.katieayers.co.nz Parents welcome in the treatment room!

[brit]

Also this recommendation on www.Expatexposed.com:
'Great Dentist in Hamilton

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:13 pm
I was lucky. I have heard some horror stories about some other NZ dentists. But, I found the best dentist I have had in my life in Hamilton. And she is a Kiwi.

Suzanne Tonkin, B.D.S. (Otago)
Chartwell Dental Centre
(new 2nd office in Rototuna Dental Centre)

The Rototuna office where I was treated was sparkling new and the equipment was first class. Dr. Tonkin is cheerful, efficient, and painless. In every way, the experience was equal to the best dental care available in the US.

Taking the exchange rate into consideration, the cost was only half of what I would have to pay in California. (The number of local dollars was the same, but the NZD is barely over 50 cents USD now.)

I am willing to commute annually to Hamilton for this quality of professional care.'

[brit]

Hi Eled
No one has reported back about this practice but their website strongly implies they focus on a friendly stressfree painless experience aimed at 'making the customer's day' .....most nervous patients respond well to friendly empathetic unrushed painfree care so I'd say its a good bet if you didn't like where you went originally.
In their Q&A, they mention sensitive teeth:
Q: Why do my teeth feel sensitive?

A: Tooth sensitivity is often experienced because the surface of the tooth has been worn down.One of the most common reasons for adults is that the roots of the teeth are exposed because the gums are receding away. This allows the effect of heat and cold to penetrate to the pulp where the nerves are located. The problem gets worse as you tend not to brush your teeth properly if it is causing you pain. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity, let us know so we can assess your situation and recommend the best treatment to take care of your discomfort. ' END WEBSITE QUOTE

Usually to treat this, they can apply desensitiser which is very quick and easy and does not need anaesthetic. Let us know how you get on. You can also use special toothpaste but the desensitising stuff dentists have works better.
Cheers
Brit

[brit]

Were the four fillings you had painful then or was it the injection for the local anaesthetic you didn't like? None of it has to be painful...read more here:
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/pain_dentist.html
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/needle_phobia.html

Feel free to start your own thread in Support btw.

[brit]

Originally Posted by ELED

Now to a different guy. I did not need the needle from these just done. He told me I wouldn't need it, though I felt pain in the upper ones. He was busy talking to someone that was helping about a house he was wanting to buy. I mean come on Focus damn it!

Oh dear..it shouldn't be like that...if you fear pain then have LA just in case if there is the slightest chance of feeling pain.
Your dentist should have an idea but clearly the last one misjudged things...a good dentist would have said 'but if you do feel anything or need a break, then raise your hand..' rather than carry on regardless.
They all know a raised hand means stop whether it is a pre-agreed signal or not.
You are the one in control, not them but it helps if they make you feel in control by making it easy to voice the fact you need more LA/want a break by offering the stop signal; or even just observing whether you look comfortable, or checking in with you to make sure from time to time.

If you were a friend/acquaintance of mine and you told me that you felt pain during that last filling, I'd be asking you where you went and I would be making a mental note to never go there myself...so it's in their 'word of mouth' interest to avoid pain for patients since patients do talk.
Have a look at that Hamilton pediatric dentist's website...that's how kids should be treated with the parent present if that's what they want.
Your older friend has recommended the practice so I would say ask them detailed questions about what happened, did it hurt(certainly should not have done), whatever you really really want to know...e.g. are the injections comfortable and do they work? That should give you the confidence to go along and see for yourself.
Good luck
Info on control here: http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/loss_of_control.html
Info on numbing problems here: http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/dif...g_dentist.html
If you've always had bad luck with male dentists, try a female one (think there's one at the Old Villa practice).