should i change dentist? please help

[minx]

I'm in a strange dilemma here. I'm middle of extracting all my top teeth. its already out and getting healed. need to get dentures when they are healed. here is my concern. I'm really really scare of dentist. Took me many years to develop a courage to goto one. 90% of courage came from all of you great people in this forum. I'm 40years old, but when it comes to meet with dentist, I become 4 year old. I need all of assurance and every details on procedures and then some. I'm getting all my questions answered and informations from this site, from you guys. My doctor don't tell me anything. NOTHING!! I have to keep asking him whenever he pick up something from table.( whats that? what are you going to do? would it hurt? etc) but he is really good at what he is doing. even though he don't tell me anything everything he done was quick and painless. seems like he got mad skills but no people skill. im a nervouse reck when I go into his office. but come out like "that's it?"
I don't know what to do. I really hate this guy but he is doing awesome job. Any suggestion?
everytime I try to ask question he seems to get little irritated. its not like im asking 1000 questions. I just want to know whats going to happen and whats going on. I haven't been to dentist for over 30years. so nothing they do is routine for me. Any tips? please.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

I'm in a strange dilemma here. I'm middle of extracting all my top teeth. its already out and getting healed. need to get dentures when they are healed. here is my concern. I'm really really scare of dentist. Took me many years to develop a courage to goto one. 90% of courage came from all of you great people in this forum. I'm 40years old, but when it comes to meet with dentist, I become 4 year old. I need all of assurance and every details on procedures and then some. I'm getting all my questions answered and informations from this site, from you guys. My doctor don't tell me anything. NOTHING!! I have to keep asking him whenever he pick up something from table.( whats that? what are you going to do? would it hurt? etc) but he is really good at what he is doing. even though he don't tell me anything everything he done was quick and painless. seems like he got mad skills but no people skill. im a nervouse reck when I go into his office. but come out like "that's it?"
I don't know what to do. I really hate this guy but he is doing awesome job. Any suggestion?
everytime I try to ask question he seems to get little irritated. its not like im asking 1000 questions. I just want to know whats going to happen and whats going on. I haven't been to dentist for over 30years. so nothing they do is routine for me. Any tips? please.

I am the same as you. I need a dentist who will tell me everything he is going to do, what he is doing, how much longer it will be taking, when we are half way done, almost done, what happens next, etc etc. I do not like surprises and half of my fear comes from having had things done to me in the past without my knowledge or permission so I need to know everything. if you are not comfortable with your dentist and he makes you feel afraid to ask questions then yes you should look for someone else. not all dentists have the compassion and patience to deal with people who are as afraid as we are, but some of them do.

 

[minx]

I am the same as you. I need a dentist who will tell me everything he is going to do, what he is doing, how much longer it will be taking, when we are half way done, almost done, what happens next, etc etc. I do not like surprises and half of my fear comes from having had things done to me in the past without my knowledge or permission so I need to know everything. if you are not comfortable with your dentist and he makes you feel afraid to ask questions then yes you should look for someone else. not all dentists have the compassion and patience to deal with people who are as afraid as we are, but some of them do.

thank you for your in put. what if I change doctor and he got good people skill and not dental skill... that would kill me. atleast I know this guy have good skill.. it seem so... but then again what do I know, I have been to dentist in 30 year.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

thank you for your in put. what if I change doctor and he got good people skill and not dental skill... that would kill me. atleast I know this guy have good skill.. it seem so... but then again what do I know, I have been to dentist in 30 year.

you could try asking friends or family what dentist they use and there is also a page on this site with recommendations for good dentists who are used to dealing with scared patients, maybe one of them is in your area. I also search review sites and health sites to see what other patients have to say about dentists before I decide.

You could also try telling him how it makes you feel. a simple talk may solve this issue, maybe he doesn't realize he is making you feel like you can't ask questions. Just tell him I am very afraid and need to know everything that is going to happen.

 

[minx]

Thank you for taking time with my problem. I will do that i'll talk to my doctor man to man.im going there today anyway to get stitches out. I will tell him all my fears. you are right. he might not even know my fears.!

 

[ScaredyCat22]

good luck today and I promise getting stiches out doesn't hurt

 

[minx]

hi all.. just got back from dentist office. got my stitches out.. everyone was right! nothing to it. I got little jolted a little when scissors touched my gum. not by pain it was my tense and nervousness. It took about 15 seconds to get it done. I talk to my doctor about my fear and problem. he said that its his personality. not a good people person. but he assured me he knows what he's doing and nothing to worry. just ask away any questions I have. he'll answer them as best as he could. he is not bother by all my questions at all. you are right ScaredyCat. all been resolve just by talking. thank you for your advice. I guess I got good dentist after all.

Now..i have to wait 5 weeks to my gums to heal and go back in for molding. ( I have to be toothless for 5 weeks). I'm still scared, do I need to prepare for something in future?.. is there any pain or those scary device involved in getting mold and dentures? anyone know? I should've ask my dentist but I was too eager to get out of the office.. as soon as it was over..i was in my car.