Registering with new dentist today. Am terrified.

[scaredmum86]

Hi all. Firstly can I say how happy I am to find this website. I didn't realise dental phobia was such a widely experienced phobia. Since I was young I have been terrified of the dentist, in particular getting fillings. It makes me feel sick to think of it.

Anyway. I have neglected my teeth and they are in pretty bad shape. It all came to a head and I had to get an emergency extraction last week and now experiencing complications from it. So I had to bite the bullet and register with a new dentist. My appointment is this afternoon and I am terrified. I don't know how to bring up the issue of my dental phobia without the dentist thinking I am an idiot.

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with my first appointment? I would really appreciate it.

 

[GreenTea]

Hey, welcome to the forum! I found myself in the same position as you just four weeks ago... Hadn't been to the dentist for 15 years and excruciating toothache drove me to register. I was very honest from the outset about my phobia and this really hElped. The dentist will not think you are an idiot - if they are a good dentist they will be understanding and do what they can to help you. My dentist didn't judge me. I've now got a 'plan' which whilst it's scary it's also made me happy as I am now finally tackling something that has haunted me for years.

Hope this afternoon goes well. You can do it!

 

[scaredmum86]

Hey, welcome to the forum! I found myself in the same position as you just four weeks ago... Hadn't been to the dentist for 15 years and excruciating toothache drove me to register. I was very honest from the outset about my phobia and this really hElped. The dentist will not think you are an idiot - if they are a good dentist they will be understanding and do what they can to help you. My dentist didn't judge me. I've now got a 'plan' which whilst it's scary it's also made me happy as I am now finally tackling something that has haunted me for years.

Hope this afternoon goes well. You can do it!

Thank you for your fast reply. I have actually just worked up the courage to call the dentist surgery to ask what will be involved in today's appointment as I was starting to panic and I know, if I got myself in a state I wouldn't have gone to the appointment. The receptionist was really nice and made sure I was feeling ok about everything. It has put me slightly more at ease. I just have to get through today and I will hopefully feel a bit more positive about finally getting my teeth sorted.

 

[GreenTea]

My first appointment was really just X-rays and a chat. The dentist knew I was really scared so took it slowly. Please do go along this afternoon - you'll feel so proud of yourself. And don't forget to log on again and let me know how you got on!

 

[scaredmum86]

My first appointment was really just X-rays and a chat. The dentist knew I was really scared so took it slowly. Please do go along this afternoon - you'll feel so proud of yourself. And don't forget to log on again and let me know how you got on!

I will! My app is at 3.45 so I will log on when I get home and let you know. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

 

[FearfulInMA]

Wishing you all the best! I have always been honest right away about my phobia. It seems to help make sure they treat me with kid gloves. They should not judge you! Please let us know how it goes.

 

[scaredmum86]

Hello! Sorry for the delayed check in. Had a busy afternoon! So my appointment actually went ok. The dentist I saw was really kind and understood my anxiety. I found the examination a bit uncomfortable and the xray wasnt fun but all in all it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I do need a lot of work done on my teeth, including another extraction, so I know that that will be a real struggle.

Thanks again for your words of encouragement today. I really needed it.

I'm sure i will be back in a couple of weeks when I go back for my first treatment appointment. Really dreading that but I know I need to go.

 

[GreenTea]

Well done! You are over the first (and biggest) hurdle. I'm glad the dentist was kind.

It sounds like we'll be going through our treatment journeys at the same time so do keep in touch. My treatment started three weeks ago with two extractions, followed by deep clean yesterday. What I have to 'look forward ' to is a crown, a few fillings, and hopefully an implant to fill my extraction gap ( a front molar). So far my treatments have been under sedation... but I can't afford to keep having that every time. But I'm so glad to have made a start - I have been worrying about my teeth for years but been too scared to address it.

I took my my kids to the dentist today and even that terrifies me...

anyway, time to settle down and watch The Apprentice and not think about teeth for an hour