The need to see a dentist is sending my anxiety to the moon.

[MeltedMind]

Hi, it's 2am and I start a 12 hour shift in 4 hours yet here I am sat alone unable to sleep thanks to my anxiety and depression running wild. From my late teens to mid 20s I suffered badly with depression and didn't see me being around long enough to care about my health. Thanks to this my teeth have suffered. I have 2 molars disintegrated down to the gum on the left side, 1 starting to chip away and another half rotten away on the right side.

With the help of my partner I have received help and was managing my mental health better until recently. A few weeks ago I began to notice some of my front teeth were becoming noticeably worse to the point where I won't be able to hide it much longer. I feel pathetic and hate myself for letting my teeth get this bad which is causing my moods to spiral out of control.

I really want to get to a dentist and deal with the problems, I just can't get over the fact I will feel like I am being judged and looked at as disgusting. I also feel extremely uncomfortable with people in my personal space so don't know how I would react to someone rummaging around my mouth.

If anyone could recommend any friendly dentists in the Newcastle upon Tyne area who can put my mind at ease I'd appreciate it so much

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Hello Meltedmind to DFC. You have come to the right place, and sounds like you are really being courageous in stepping out wanting to deal with this and have support of a great partner who has helped you too! The fear of being shamed and blamed and judged is huge and one I and so many others dealt with as well. It holds many back. What I can say is there really are so many lovely compassionate kind dentists who want to help you and not judge you! I'd encourage you to take baby steps. Start with reading reviews on dentists to see what they say, if they are compassionate and kind or have anxious patients commenting. I personally start with contacting them via Facebook or email and let them know straight up front I'm anxious and need someone kind and patient who won't shame me and ask how they work with anxious patients. Usually answers are very telling. Then you could ask for a meet and greet where you just go in and see how they treat you and if you feel comfortable. If you get to this point and they treat you kindly and don't shame or judge, This just has built so much comfort/confidence I know for me. I'm from the US so don't know who is in your area but @letsconnect may! All the best!!

 

[letsconnect]

Hi @MeltedMind and welcome,

as @krlovesherkids777 already said, there really are a lot of kind dentists out there who are eager to help and who won't judge! And her advice about taking baby steps is great. It can be really frightening to look at dental practice websites, so it might be easier to start off by doing something less high up the fear hierarchy. For example, we've got some great interviews with dentists which hopefully show a bit more of their human side and make things a little less scary. You can find them here:

Interviews

A series of interviews with dentists who have a special interest in helping nervous or phobic patients overcome their fears.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Regarding your question about recommendations in Newcastle upon Tyne, I don't think we've had any posted here on the forum yet. However, we've collected lots of tips for finding a dentist:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

We haven't added using AI to the page yet - it really needs updating! But if you (or anyone else) wants to try this, an example prompt is

"Can you give me some recommendations for dentists in the Newcastle upon Tyne area who are great with nervous or phobic patients (as evidenced by patient reviews) and who are well regarded among other dentists for their clinical skills and expertise? Please double check that the information for each recommendation is current and correct."

One of the suggestions I got was for Lesley Cave at Kingswalk Dental in the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who gets very good reviews from formerly phobic patients:

Kingswalk Dental

Welcome to our practice, we are very happy you have found us. We are a highly experienced, caring and professional team who are ready to help you. Learn more...

www.kingswalkdental.co.uk

But have a search yourself once you feel up for it! And of course asking people in real life for their recommendations is always a good idea as well!

 

[MeltedMind]

Appreciate the kinds words and support. I began looking for a dentist this morning with the intention to get the ball rolling. However I then got called into a meeting at work and told it was shutting down and I was being made redundant which scuppered my plans.

Luckily only 5 hours and 1 interview later I have a new job. After getting so lucky for a change I now have some more confidence to get started. New job, new year and hopefully a new smile to get my life back on track.

 

[letsconnect]

Congratulations on finding a new job so quickly, sounds like you lucked out ! Fingers crossed you'll get as lucky with finding a dentist - wishing you all the best with your search and with your new job!!