Rediculous Dental Phobia - Caused Problems

[colcheslad]

I just wondered if anyone (qualified or otherwise) had any opinions or advise on what has become quite a farcical situation. I have always had a great fear of dentists, and especially dental work since my first filling as a child. The anaesthetic injection, drills etc bring me out into sweats! About 4 years ago I got kicked out of my current dentists as they were turning exclusively private which I could not afford, and stupidly never bothered to join another. After a couple of years one tooth had a huge hole in it, so I went to a new NHS dentist to get it sorted. They filled it, and sent me on my way.

I could just about handle this, but when I returned for a checkup six months later I was told that it would need root-canal, so I went back and (thought I) has the treatment (the dentist was playing about with my tooth for what seemed like forever). After returning for another check-up, yet another dentist told me that I would either need root-canel or an extraction, and said that the tooth in question had definately not had any root-canel work done to it (quite worrying!). So she put a temporary filling in and referred me to a clinic to get it removed. This was sixth months ago, and the whole thing has absolutely terrified me since, I still have the temporary filling in and have cancelled my next check-up as I never got the tooth extracted.

My question is, where do you recommend I go from here? I'm not sure I want to go back to the same dentists that firstly said I had root-canel, and then six months later said I hadn't. The temporary filling I have had for sixth months is still in place and seems to be doing a good job, but is it danderous to have it in this long? Will the NHS referral from sixth months ago still be good at the clinic to have it extracted?

Apoligies for the long-windedness and silly amount of questions, but as I said dentistry scares the living hell out of me and I just wanted to get it sorted as painlessly and as cheap as possible!

Any help appreciated!

[bestpud]

Well, first off, I would not call your fear ridiculous! You are not alone either - it's a very real problem for a lot of us.

We began paying privately when our dentist went fully private and it made a significant dent in our low income at the time - well it still does, but we have got used to it now and it just seems like any other bill we have to pay.

We decide to pay privately, rather than go to the local NHS centre, because on balance it seemed the more sensible option.

We trust our dentist to do a good job for us, and for our children. But more than that, I felt unable to face seeing someone new. It took me two years to feel comfortable with check ups (after changing from my old dentist, who I'd seen since a child) and although I still get in a panic about any treatments I need, I am getting better.

Luckily I rarely have treatments but he always takes it very slowly and will stop for a break as soon as I need him to. He also takes the time during check ups to discuss any issues etc. We have 20 mins per person, and 6 monthly, which is double the NHS time I believe.

I know he has helped other people with dental fears/phobias too and I think a lot of this is due to the extra time he can give them.

It's obviously your choice but we decided we only get two sets of teeth and we are already on the second, so don't want to take any chances! Like you, I probably wouldn't have gone to the dentist at all and then ended up paying more in the long run.

Plus, if you look after your teeth, it may not be that expensive to go private.

Just my opinion but good luck with whatever you decide.

[colcheslad]

Thanks bestpud for your kind words, it's reassuring I'm not the only one who would act like this! In retrospect it would have made sense to stick with my original dentist, but I was only 19 when I left and was (and still am, actually!) earning enough to pay for rent and food let alone private dental care,

Thanks again

[thrifty_sue]

Have you tried this website:

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org (http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/)

It's got great advice for dental phobics.

[alison999]

maybe you could get referred for sedation when you have fillings and things?

[colcheslad]

Thanks for that website, it contains lots of handy information I oculd use before my next treatment!

My NHS referral form does state 'extraction with sedation', but I'm not sure it will still be valid due to the fact it was dated so long ago, and that I still have the temporary filling in. Does anyone have any experience in this kind of situation?

[rufus79]

I am petrified of the dentist. About 10yrs ago I was told I needed a huge amount of work done, panicked, and never went. 5yrs ago, in a lot of pain, I found a new NHS dentist who offers sedation. Bliss! I still need valium to even get me there (and a brandy before a check up!) but I am perfectly happy to have the needle in my hand, they do what they need to, and by the time I wake up its all over! Go back. Toothache is the worst!

[alison999]

Thanks for that website, it contains lots of handy information I oculd use before my next treatment!

My NHS referral form does state 'extraction with sedation', but I'm not sure it will still be valid due to the fact it was dated so long ago, and that I still have the temporary filling in. Does anyone have any experience in this kind of situation?

you might have to go for another check up just to make sure that the treatment shown on the form is what you still need, ask at your dentist

[colcheslad]

I'd just like to say thank you to all of those who replied with support and reassurance, I have just booked a checkup for next month which will hopefully lead to it being taken out (under sedation!). Ibuprofen will have to do until then.

Thanks again,
Chris

[alison999]

remember that youre only booked in for a check up and will probably have to wait again for your sedation appointment.