UK Help Needed

[RainbowDrops]

Hello all,
I've browsed over this forum for quite a while and finally decided to join!

A little background about me, I'm 28, I had a bit of a shall we say rough childhood I didn't go to the dentist until I was an adult, I took myself for the first time at 18, I had no fear what so ever at that stage, until the dentist I saw was very very horrible to me and I have spent the last 10 years of life trying to over come this fear.

I cannot express how much this fear effects my day to day life, it's like a little voice in my head all the time.

I have been to two other dentists since that initial appointment 10 years ago. The first was okay but I didn't go back the second was on Monday - this dentist was also not very understanding of my fear - BUT she has referred me to the NHS community dental service.

Does anyone have any expeirance of this? I've had a look online and all I can gather is that it sees a lot of people within the community that have additional needs but they also see people with extreme dental phobia? Any expeiance of this would be fantastic.

I am waiting for a letter to come though with an appointment.

 

[jbkb]

Sorry you have to deal with the fear and the dreaded 'voice in your head'. I had no issues with the dentist growing up and even had a crown done aged 21 but my dentist was pretty good so I got through it okay. He retired, and then followed a few bad experiences. The most recent put me off so much I cried afterwards, he was very blasé and almost teased me about how scared I was.

Anyway, I'm UK based but I don't have any particular experience to share with that NHS service, sorry. I found a highly recommended private dentist who specialises in phobics. She's amazing and I intend to keep seeing her (going back soon after a hiatus, gulp). It's expensive but very worth it, to me.

I'd suggest you contact them up front (once you're put in touch) to explain your situation. And when you meet a dentist, allow yourself to leave if you don't feel they're taking your fear seriously. A good dentist will want to help you.

 

[Sevena]

Welcome to the forum!

There are some really good dentists floating around in the specialised units. I had one who was super lovely and kind. You'll help your case by being upfront about your worries and your needs. If you want to take little breaks throughout appointments, for example, say so. A dentist that makes you feel worse, mentally, is not a good dentist, and you should feel free to walk away. Hopefully you get one who is willing to work with you and meet your needs.

Hang in there. You're not alone.