Dentist Phobia
Discussion
Hello all, I did search for this, but nothing came up.
Can you be in denial about being phobic? I'm not sure. I think I have slowly come to the conclusion that I am phobic, and probably have been for some years. I'm getting tooth ache from a couple of old fillings, and there are a couple of other items I'm having "issues" about and are really dragging me down, so I really need to find a good dentist. Yes, that must sound bloody silly, but even writing this my heart rate is way up and I'm feeling sick. The smell of a surgery starts a bit of a panic reflex, which I have regarded as "natural nerves" but in hindsight it was maybe a step or two beyond that.
I had a couple of bad experiences with dentists as a kid, which also left me with a deep fear of general anaesthetics (I don't have a problem with locals) everyone I talk to socially is always of the opinion of "ooh I want to be knocked out whenever I have anything done" which really doesn't help me. Without going into details, even looking back at those childhood experiences (relatively) objectively as an adult, they were pretty nasty. Anyway, moving on.
I used to have a local one for a few years - despite her impenetrable accent and her messing up an extraction which still causes problems, plus double bookings that were averaging over 100% at one time, and a feeling that she was really rushing every appointment. When I broke the top 1/4 off a lower canine, all she was bothered about was smoothing off the sharp edges, and when I mentioned capping it or making it cosmetically better, she just shrugged and changed the subject.
Eventually they "lost my details" which was a farce in itself. Not good for raising my opinion about the professionalism of it all.
I can't afford to go private (I think anyway, not sure what sort of level private charges are) so I am limited to the NHS, unfortunately the nearest dentist who is a phobic specialist and taking on new people is 40-50 minutes across Leeds, and I'm not sure I could safely drive there under stress. What do phobic specialists do anyway? I am under the impression that they sedate, which is kinda the heart of the problem anyway.
Do any of you PH medical professionals out there know if there is something I can do to help myself? I'm inclined to possibly see my GP as the whole thing is dragging me down, but I'm not sure whether he would just tell me to ring NHS direct or phone the one in Leeds. I'm the sort of silly sod who will be all cheerful about it and "oh yes I'll do that" in the surgery, then come home and panic. I know there are courses you can do to help combat phobias about flying and spiders, are there any for dentist phobics? I can't imagine the NHS have any, with all the cutbacks.
I guess I just need a dentist who I can understand, who won't rush me, and will take a bit of time to talk things through. One who I trust to do the right thing, not the most profitable one for the practice.
Sorry if that's a bit rambling and vague, talking about a phobia can have that effect.
P.S. If anyone tells me to MTFU, I will send you details of an operation I had under local anaesthetic that WILL cause you to cross your legs and whimper. I suspect I was more relaxed during that operation, than I ever have been in a dentists surgery.
Thanks for your time.
Can you be in denial about being phobic? I'm not sure. I think I have slowly come to the conclusion that I am phobic, and probably have been for some years. I'm getting tooth ache from a couple of old fillings, and there are a couple of other items I'm having "issues" about and are really dragging me down, so I really need to find a good dentist. Yes, that must sound bloody silly, but even writing this my heart rate is way up and I'm feeling sick. The smell of a surgery starts a bit of a panic reflex, which I have regarded as "natural nerves" but in hindsight it was maybe a step or two beyond that.
I had a couple of bad experiences with dentists as a kid, which also left me with a deep fear of general anaesthetics (I don't have a problem with locals) everyone I talk to socially is always of the opinion of "ooh I want to be knocked out whenever I have anything done" which really doesn't help me. Without going into details, even looking back at those childhood experiences (relatively) objectively as an adult, they were pretty nasty. Anyway, moving on.
I used to have a local one for a few years - despite her impenetrable accent and her messing up an extraction which still causes problems, plus double bookings that were averaging over 100% at one time, and a feeling that she was really rushing every appointment. When I broke the top 1/4 off a lower canine, all she was bothered about was smoothing off the sharp edges, and when I mentioned capping it or making it cosmetically better, she just shrugged and changed the subject.
Eventually they "lost my details" which was a farce in itself. Not good for raising my opinion about the professionalism of it all.
I can't afford to go private (I think anyway, not sure what sort of level private charges are) so I am limited to the NHS, unfortunately the nearest dentist who is a phobic specialist and taking on new people is 40-50 minutes across Leeds, and I'm not sure I could safely drive there under stress. What do phobic specialists do anyway? I am under the impression that they sedate, which is kinda the heart of the problem anyway.
Do any of you PH medical professionals out there know if there is something I can do to help myself? I'm inclined to possibly see my GP as the whole thing is dragging me down, but I'm not sure whether he would just tell me to ring NHS direct or phone the one in Leeds. I'm the sort of silly sod who will be all cheerful about it and "oh yes I'll do that" in the surgery, then come home and panic. I know there are courses you can do to help combat phobias about flying and spiders, are there any for dentist phobics? I can't imagine the NHS have any, with all the cutbacks.
I guess I just need a dentist who I can understand, who won't rush me, and will take a bit of time to talk things through. One who I trust to do the right thing, not the most profitable one for the practice.
Sorry if that's a bit rambling and vague, talking about a phobia can have that effect.
P.S. If anyone tells me to MTFU, I will send you details of an operation I had under local anaesthetic that WILL cause you to cross your legs and whimper. I suspect I was more relaxed during that operation, than I ever have been in a dentists surgery.
Thanks for your time.
I don't know much about how a dentist would work with you but if the phobic specialist is 40-50 minutes away, I'd take that option, anyway.
Alternatively, try Emotional Freedom Techniques to overcome your phobia if you think you really have one. Oh, they won't do GA these days unless it's something serious.
Alternatively, try Emotional Freedom Techniques to overcome your phobia if you think you really have one. Oh, they won't do GA these days unless it's something serious.
You need to find a dentist who you are more comfortable with and get into the habit of seeing them regularly.
What can be done, does depend on what exactly you are phobic of - the dentist surgery itself, the drill, the fear of what may go wrong, etc. The only way to get over it is to have repeated exposure to the fear stimulus, while nothing goes badly wrong. I spend time explaining all the risks and benefits of any treatment before commencing treatment and keep the patient updated on what is happening while I do it - This seems to work well for most people.
Basically, if you don't like the dentist, see them more often - this means things don't become a problem, or the work is small.
As for capping to make it 'cosmetically better' on the NHS - not a chance.
There a few, very few, services available on the NHS where you can have fillings and other restorative work done under sedation. Mostly, they focus on extracting any teeth that are causing problems. There is also the option of your normal dentist treating you, after you take some Diazepam or similar - this again, works well depending on the level and type of phobia.
I can answer in more detail later, as you are likely to have more questions after you read this. Someone else may also chip in by then.
What can be done, does depend on what exactly you are phobic of - the dentist surgery itself, the drill, the fear of what may go wrong, etc. The only way to get over it is to have repeated exposure to the fear stimulus, while nothing goes badly wrong. I spend time explaining all the risks and benefits of any treatment before commencing treatment and keep the patient updated on what is happening while I do it - This seems to work well for most people.
Basically, if you don't like the dentist, see them more often - this means things don't become a problem, or the work is small.
As for capping to make it 'cosmetically better' on the NHS - not a chance.
There a few, very few, services available on the NHS where you can have fillings and other restorative work done under sedation. Mostly, they focus on extracting any teeth that are causing problems. There is also the option of your normal dentist treating you, after you take some Diazepam or similar - this again, works well depending on the level and type of phobia.
I can answer in more detail later, as you are likely to have more questions after you read this. Someone else may also chip in by then.
Thanks for your replies guys. I think I have decided to go with the one specialising in phobic patients. I know most dentists have some training in it, but I think I need the reassurance of a practice that specialises in it, they may be able to help me with the longer term issue rather than a non-specialist who would just offer general reassurance. I will contact them this week and see what the way forward is.
I think I have a couple of problems, one being trust (especially after my most recent one having let me down so many times) and the other being a lack of control. All the other negative associations stem from there. From what you say, the NHS option seems to be to prefer extraction rather than even consider a more conservative or restorative option, which is another fear. I don't want to be 45 with a set of false teeth. I'm now wondering if I should maybe save up and consider going privately. hmm.
I think I have a couple of problems, one being trust (especially after my most recent one having let me down so many times) and the other being a lack of control. All the other negative associations stem from there. From what you say, the NHS option seems to be to prefer extraction rather than even consider a more conservative or restorative option, which is another fear. I don't want to be 45 with a set of false teeth. I'm now wondering if I should maybe save up and consider going privately. hmm.
Additional (this is more by way of catharsis than an actual question):
Bugger. In the few weeks since I last checked, the dentist I was considering in Leeds seems to have disappeared off the NHS list. Most odd. Using the official NHS finder, there appears to be a cluster of 4 practices in Barnsley that also do restorative dentistry, so maybe they will be able to do something about the tooth that detonated itself.
Barnsley seems a long way, but there is only 1 closer (in Leeds) which have 2 out of 3 negative comments, and they are well written too, not the local chavs with a grudge.
Bugger. In the few weeks since I last checked, the dentist I was considering in Leeds seems to have disappeared off the NHS list. Most odd. Using the official NHS finder, there appears to be a cluster of 4 practices in Barnsley that also do restorative dentistry, so maybe they will be able to do something about the tooth that detonated itself.
Barnsley seems a long way, but there is only 1 closer (in Leeds) which have 2 out of 3 negative comments, and they are well written too, not the local chavs with a grudge.
What the guy said above about repeat exposure was the biggest help for me. I was dentist phobic, and didn't go AT ALL for 30 years. I had a similar bad experience as you when I was a teen.
A couple of years when I bit the bullet (so to speak) and went along to get all of the 'catch-up' work done over about 6 months. I did go private but it would have been the same guy and I'm sure he's no less reassuring for NHS patients. He did say that anti-anxiety meds were available but I didn't need them.
I go regularly now and although I don't look forward to it, I'm not 'phobic' as such.
Good luck!
A couple of years when I bit the bullet (so to speak) and went along to get all of the 'catch-up' work done over about 6 months. I did go private but it would have been the same guy and I'm sure he's no less reassuring for NHS patients. He did say that anti-anxiety meds were available but I didn't need them.
I go regularly now and although I don't look forward to it, I'm not 'phobic' as such.
Good luck!
Thanks for that, I think I am coming round to seeing that the key to all this is trust. I didn't trust my previous dentist for various reasons (double bookings, botched work, being unintelligible) and obviously as a kid I had no influence over the matter at all. Unfortunately, the NHS and BDA search engines didn't include an option for "you can trust this dentist" 
Talking of which, I was browsing the NHS and BDA search engines last night - partly as a sort of familiarity therapy (it didn't work) and partly just to see what is potentially available. I am considering going private, but if I need lots of visits for de-sensitisation and work done it may be prohibitive.
Does anyone know: Am I correct in thinking that if you are registered with a private practice, then you can't see an NHS dentist too? I can't imagine them looking kindly on a situation where I get inspections and so on privately, then go for more expensive work (perhaps orthodontics) on the NHS.
Also, if I went private and found that it just didn't work for me, can I just walk away and register that day with another private (or NHS) one? Do private surgeries tend to have long waiting lists like NHS? I guess this might be "how long is a piece of string" question, and varies with area.
Footnote: This is what is making me consider going privately. Taken from my local PCT's web page on registration:
"... The practice will then contact you directly. Currently this will take approximately two to three months from registration to the dental practice contacting you to make an appointment."
I couldn't in all honesty say I am in urgent need, but 2 or 3 months feels like a long time right now.
Thanks for your patience
ETA: I always felt with my NHS dentist that they would always go with the cheapest option (or most cost effective for them), and not tell me if any other options were open. I guess a private dentist may (if perhaps not being 100% professional one day) err the other way, but at least I would have the option.
Talking of which, I was browsing the NHS and BDA search engines last night - partly as a sort of familiarity therapy (it didn't work) and partly just to see what is potentially available. I am considering going private, but if I need lots of visits for de-sensitisation and work done it may be prohibitive.
Does anyone know: Am I correct in thinking that if you are registered with a private practice, then you can't see an NHS dentist too? I can't imagine them looking kindly on a situation where I get inspections and so on privately, then go for more expensive work (perhaps orthodontics) on the NHS.
Also, if I went private and found that it just didn't work for me, can I just walk away and register that day with another private (or NHS) one? Do private surgeries tend to have long waiting lists like NHS? I guess this might be "how long is a piece of string" question, and varies with area.
Footnote: This is what is making me consider going privately. Taken from my local PCT's web page on registration:
"... The practice will then contact you directly. Currently this will take approximately two to three months from registration to the dental practice contacting you to make an appointment."
I couldn't in all honesty say I am in urgent need, but 2 or 3 months feels like a long time right now.
Thanks for your patience
ETA: I always felt with my NHS dentist that they would always go with the cheapest option (or most cost effective for them), and not tell me if any other options were open. I guess a private dentist may (if perhaps not being 100% professional one day) err the other way, but at least I would have the option.
Edited by Zad on Thursday 11th August 02:01
A dentist you can trust many not be one that someone else will find as 'trustable'
You can see both private and NHS dentists at the same time. There is no problem in getting work done on either system as suitable. As an adult, you will almost certainly not qualify for orthodontics under the NHS.
Private practices are unlikely to have any waiting lists to register and are likely to be able to see you quicker than NHS practices. You can always walk away and register with another practice, NHS or private.
But I will not do any treatment on any patients without an inspection first, as I would be responsible for any work carried out. I most certainly won't take the patient's word that they need a certain treatment as assessed by another dentist. People in a stressful situation can misinterpret what has been said - and I have seen all degrees of that.
All dentists should tell you of all the options available. But some of those options may not be offered under NHS, even if they have been discussed - the discussion is only so you know of all the options available (NHS or private).
You can see both private and NHS dentists at the same time. There is no problem in getting work done on either system as suitable. As an adult, you will almost certainly not qualify for orthodontics under the NHS.
Private practices are unlikely to have any waiting lists to register and are likely to be able to see you quicker than NHS practices. You can always walk away and register with another practice, NHS or private.
But I will not do any treatment on any patients without an inspection first, as I would be responsible for any work carried out. I most certainly won't take the patient's word that they need a certain treatment as assessed by another dentist. People in a stressful situation can misinterpret what has been said - and I have seen all degrees of that.
All dentists should tell you of all the options available. But some of those options may not be offered under NHS, even if they have been discussed - the discussion is only so you know of all the options available (NHS or private).
Edited by sinizter on Thursday 11th August 06:38
Yeah the trustable bit is tricky. It would be nice if there were more public comments on the search sites. Even though they will tend to be inherently biased, you can generally get a feel for a place and the sort of person who writes the comment.
I hope more practices get a web site, any real information above the bare bones provided by the NHS/BDA is invaluable. It has been handy to see what the charges are, and even just seeing a photo of the staff helps reassure me.
It is reassuring that I could see both private and NHS at the same time. My fear was that I would go private, and be able to afford a certain amount of work and then be stuck without being able to get treatment. So that is one thing less to worry about.
I don't think I would trust a dentist who just took my word for something either. I know what you mean about distorting things under stress! As an electronics engineer, I never totally trust someone else's work. So, by the same degree, I would also expect a dentist to verify another professional's opinion before doing anything.
Cheers!
I hope more practices get a web site, any real information above the bare bones provided by the NHS/BDA is invaluable. It has been handy to see what the charges are, and even just seeing a photo of the staff helps reassure me.
It is reassuring that I could see both private and NHS at the same time. My fear was that I would go private, and be able to afford a certain amount of work and then be stuck without being able to get treatment. So that is one thing less to worry about.
I don't think I would trust a dentist who just took my word for something either. I know what you mean about distorting things under stress! As an electronics engineer, I never totally trust someone else's work. So, by the same degree, I would also expect a dentist to verify another professional's opinion before doing anything.
Cheers!
home dentistry.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
Y282 said:
home dentistry.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
sinizter said:
Y282 said:
home dentistry.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
i pulled out some molars a while back, it was a lot less stressful than going to the dentist.
if that's not your bag, one thing i did think while doing it was that it was less stressful because i knew what was going on and had control of the pain/process. perhaps this has something to do with it.
Y282 said:
PH: POWERFULLY BUILT DENTISTRY.
The only person powerfully built to PH scales must be you.All I can say is, that kind of home dentistry is not recommended at all, unless you want further serious problems.
There are few situations where anyone will be able to extract their own molar at home - and they could have been avoided had you just visited a dentist regularly and maintained your oral hygiene.
sinizter said:
Y282 said:
PH: POWERFULLY BUILT DENTISTRY.
The only person powerfully built to PH scales must be you.All I can say is, that kind of home dentistry is not recommended at all, unless you want further serious problems.
There are few situations where anyone will be able to extract their own molar at home - and they could have been avoided had you just visited a dentist regularly and maintained your oral hygiene.
- goes back to eating out of bins and licking own arse.
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