Introduction post =) Also looking for opinions regarding my dentist visit lol.

[kawaiimiyo]

Introduction post =) Also looking for opinions regarding my dentist visit lol.

Hi hi everyone!

Okay so I'm like super new here! I didn't see an introductions section on this board, (If I've missed it I'm sorry!) So thought I'd introduce myself real quick here! I'm Christina ^_^ I live in Utah.......... And yes, I too am a dental-phobic! I've had only one successful dentist visit in 15 years, due to my uncontrollable shaking and crying the moment I sit in that chair! (Was even kicked out of a dentist office at one point!) So yeah. Major fear. and complete mess. Nice to meet you!

If it's not too soon, I'd also love to ask your opinions!!! I've been avoiding the dentist for sooo long, due to both fear, and lack of funds! I have two teeth that are just falling apart, and need root canals on... So I must go to a dentist! I can't go to my favorite one, the only dentist who managed to win my trust since my phobia started. as i still have no insurance, and only have a discount plan they dont accept.

So I found a dentist who accepts my discount plan but, I'm still nervous! Okay here's a quick brief run-down on the situation. They accept my discount plan, plus offer payments. The place is in a new building, and its BEAUTIFUL! It doesnt even *feel* like a dentist office! Its cozy.... the staff? Excellent!!!! The friendliest, helpful and most reassuring bunch I've ever met. This place is sooooooo amazing in every way, **except** I'm worried about the dentist

I went for just an exam, nothing else. Everything was great and didnt feel an ounce of nervousness! until the dentist came in.... The moment he reclined my chair and got out the "Tools" instantly, started shaking and crying again I was caught off guard I admit. Wasnt expecting it, Its been so long since the dentist, I thought after they got the Xrays, I was done. the assistant told him of my fear, the dentist told me he was only gonna look and not do anything.... but i wasnt reassured... he had the assistant take note to give me a sedative, but i still felt like he kinda just "Dived right in"
He had been very friendly, he had taken the time to answer all of my questions, he did seem to know what he was doing, but I guess ;; I was hoping that after learning of my fear I'd be "Babied a bit more" you know? More time spent on reassuring/comforting? At least thats what my favorite dentist had done before ; he really *really* made an effort to completely comfort me..... i know they can't all be cookie cutter copies but... I dont know


Anyways I'm planning on going back, but was hoping for some feedback.... Was I expecting too much? If the dentist was friendly, if the staff were excellent, and the environment amazing, would that be good enough for you guys? Should I go on and brave it? or if the dentist was really anything less than what you hoped for, would that be what mattered most? I can't really afford to shop around, and this place appears to be great.... But I'm slightly nervous about the dentists "Straight to the point" nature and not being so comforting... if i was shaking and crying for an exam, I know I'm going to be a bigger mess for a root canal! I trust him to do the job, but I'm not sure I trust myself not to fall apart!

 

[GrahamDee]

Re: Introduction post =) Also looking for opinions regarding my dentist visit lol.

Hi kawaiimiyo,

Reading your story here and it sounds you have come a long way and manage to fight most of your phobic demons to get into the chair and begin your treatment. Your dentist sounds he cares and will take some time out to answer your questions. But being a dental-phobe myself, phobias are seldom rational (despite there being a rational root cause to begin with)and play on all your negetive emotions and imagination.

I guess at the end of the day, you have to make the judgement if you are happy with this guy or not. By the sound of it, you are - but not completely as he "dived right in". I guess some dentists will spend time calming you, some won't bother. Personally, he sounds the caring sort and I would hang in there and see how it goes.

One of the weapons against dental phobia is confidence. Confidence he won't hurt you or do something unpleasent or unexpected. I would give this guy some time and gain that little bit of extra confidence and that in itself will help defeat your worries and fears. That was how I overcame a lot of my issues.

Another thing would be to speak to him about this "Straight to the point" nature and that you would rather go for the "nice and easy" approach. Maybe he will accomodate you and take a little more time to put you at your ease. Tell him your dental history and experiences and what it is that makes you feel like that. If he's good, he will listen. Sedatives help a lot. If there is some on offer, go for it. They do help.

You seem to have covered a lot of ground so far by actually getting in the chair and getting some work done - and you should be pleased and proud of yourself for getting that far. That is an achievement in itself. In my experience, that is the hardest bit of any dental treatment.

Hang in there...it does get easier with time and the rewards of being dentally fit (maybe for the first time in years) will make you feel like a million dollars!

 

[Dusty_Rug]

Re: Introduction post =) Also looking for opinions regarding my dentist visit lol.

Hiya kawaiimiyo,

So sorry to hear that your dentist jumped right in there BUT I met a new dentist just last week who, by being abrupt and making me feel like a kid (I'm 45!!) and then diving into my mouth, absolutely terrified me and left me thinking I'd just started out on the road to hell! I've seen him 3 times in a week and the last two times, he was brilliant...so brilliant that I let him do everything (2 fillings, 5 extractions, stitches, 3 cleaning sessions, umpteen LA injections, impressions for partial dentures) over those three visits and learned that maybe we should forgive them if they seem overzealous on the first visit - maybe he was having an off day or was overloaded with clients?

The dentist I've seen spent the last two visits reassuring me that things would only happen when I was ready, that I was in charge all the time and that his supplier was ripping him off by sending him three times as much stuff as he ordered lol. The rapport between him, his nurse and his receptionist was unbelievable and many times I heard him telling one or other of them that they were cows, bitches, fat, skinny, greedy, lazy, etc...all in a teasing manner which not only had them all laughing but me too, even when his drill was at the back of my mouth!!!

I can't advise on how to deal with your dentist but I would say give the guy a chance and remember, YOU'RE in charge. Make sure that he gives you a signal such as raising a hand if you need him to stop at any time during your treatment so that you can be sure it's all taken at YOUR pace.

Good luck, Dusty x

 

[kawaiimiyo]

Re: Introduction post =) Also looking for opinions regarding my dentist visit lol.

Thank you everyone! Hearing your thoughts helped give me some reassurance And yes he was having a busy day with a line of patients at hand! Next time I'll go ahead and point out my specific fears a bit more with him and maybe he might take it slower... but I'll go ahead and give it a try! Thank you!