I'd just like to thank all of the above posters for recommending Dr Lincoln Hirst. If it hadn't been for this forum and this thread I wonder whether I would have sought the help I needed. I am immensely grateful for your recommendations and would like to add my own.
I am 41 years old, and following a couple of months of visiting Lincoln and his wonderful nurse Jean, can finally say for the first time ever that I am no longer terrified of the dentist. And I'm guessing that anyone who uses this forum can appreciate what an enormous deal that is. I have been utterly terrified of dental procedures for as long as I can remember, despite having encountered a couple of very kindly dentists along the way. But I had also always opted for I.V. sedation, and I only went if I had an abscess or a great deal of pain. I.V. sedation is great (and a totally valid option) but I felt that although it helped me get the treatment I needed, I hadn't really got to grips with my fear which was paralysing and stopping me from getting help in a timely fashion.
So, a couple of months ago when a tooth that had been broken and just awful for a long time started to hurt I knew I had to go and see someone. I came on here and found this page and after crying all over my keyboard for about half an hour sent off an email to
Beehive asking for an appointment with Lincoln. Within a matter of minutes I got a lovely reply from their receptionist Kelly-Anne with an offer of an appointment in a couple of days time. The night before I went I got another email from Lincoln explaining what would (and would not) happen during my first appointment which was wonderfully reassuring, and really helped my nerves.
My first appointment with Lincoln and Jean was pretty amazing actually. I've had a fair bit to do with doctors and nurses over the years but I've never had such brilliant care as I got in that first appointment (honestly they're not paying me to say this!). They have a really lovely way about them, and took a lot of time to just let me talk and relax a bit. I didn't feel in the least bit rushed or that I was being silly by being so frightened, I felt that both Jean and Lincoln were just really keen to help me. Before I left I felt quite at ease and even ended up in the dreaded chair letting them have a good look in my shameful mouth!
Fast forward to today and my treatment for the moment is done (a few fillings and one extraction all done with oral sedation). I actually mostly enjoyed going to see Lincoln and Jean. Really. They always made me laugh and they helped me more than I can ever really express. First class health care, I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend
