Any advice on dentists for an agoraphobic?

HerInDoors

Hello,

I've suffered from agoraphobia and dental phobia since my teens and it's very severe now. Over the last 15 years I've had an abcess on my gum 4 different times. Half a root canal treatment which wasn't finished so I lost my tooth. And now I have a few broken teeth,a couple have fallen out and I can't chew on the right side of my mouth.

I admit my oral care was appalling, the idea of anything touching my teeth would freak me out. Ironically I've managed to overcome my dental fear and now take good care of my teeth, but I'm worried it's too little too late and I may end up losing them all. You can't see the ones I lost/broke because they were at the back but one from the side has started to go.

Even though it's been years since my last one I'm terrified I may get another abcess as that was the worst pain I've ever experienced not to mention being embarrassed by the colour of my teeth. I use Blanx toothpaste but that doesn't do much.

I did used to get a lot of severe toothaches where I'd be up crying for nights on end and no amount of tablets would work, then the pain would go away again after a few days.

So I'm in dire need of a dentist and I can't find one who will come and visit me in my home. I've researced domicillary dentists in London to no avial and have no idea what to do. I'm going to try the Dental Helpline but have used them in the past and up until this day I'm still waiting for help.

I understand it's in my best interest to go to a dentist but I can't even begin to explain how severe my agoraphobia is now and that is not an option.

Any advice?

ymakesmile

I dont really have any advice unfortunately but I feel for you. I am not quite so severe myself, but I leave the house as little as possible which has got increasingly worse over the past 2/3 years because I suffer huge panic attacks. I stopped going to the dentist last year because making my appointments was such a huge deal, but I worry so much about the state of my teeth and particularly because I have an old veneer which I want changing. So I recently joined a private dentist which I had my first appointment for not so long back and it was a massive deal for me, but somehow I managed it and I must admit the sheer relief of coming home afterwards was just so wonderful, and thats what helps me get through it. I can totally understand the sheer magnitude of having to leave the house for any reason for an agoraphobic so I am not too sure what to suggest, but if you ever want to chat, feel free to pm me

Toothsmith

Dentists don't often do domicilliary visits anymore.

Part of the regulations that we have to work to nowadays mean we need all sorts of emergency drugs and oxygen supplies with us whenever we do dentistry.

If we're out and about with all this tackle, then it's not back at the practice, and so no dentistry can take place at the practice whilst it's not there!

And all this emergency stuff needs to be maintained and replaced when it goes out of date - and yet it is very very rarely actually needed. So - there isn't going to be a dental practice in the country that keeps two sets of emergency equipment just on the off chance that someone might need to be seen in their own home.

Secondly, the sort of stuff you can actually do in someones home is extremely limited.

There will be no proper dental chair, or light, or compressor to drive the drills, or mixing machines to mix the proper fillings, or suction units.

All these things ARE avilable as a portable version, but the expense would be huge for a service that is hardly ever needed.

Just about all you could do is place a temporary dressing, maybe make a new denture for someone, or - if the dentist is really feeling brave - take a tooth out. But if anything breaks whilst taking a tooth out, he'll really be stuffed.

In short, I don't think you'll find a dentist who will come and see you in your own home.

I think your best bet is to concentrate on overcoming your agrophobia. The dental problems may well be the spur you need to do this.

absolutebounder

I could answer but it would probably be classed as medical advice so I would suggest you google phobia cures. find a good practicioner and then you will be able to visit the dentist and save yourself a lot of pain.

HerInDoors

Thanks all.

I did stumble upon a group called Kind Blue Dental Care which visit people at home, I believe that's their speciality. The website looks promising but it's private and they don't advertise thier fees so I very much doubt I'll be able to afford them no matter how hard I save. It's a shame as they look ideal.

I appreciate the advice and kind words. I guess there isn't anything I can do until I manage to overcome my agoraphobia.

Toothsmith

And to be honest, the sort of dentistry this lot would provide would be more palliative care sort of stuff.

It's a good and necessary service, and I'm glad to see that there is provision in the private sector for something the NHS has completely abandoned now.

But - the sort of dentistry these people will usually be providing will not be the sort of dentistry that someone with an expected life span of more than 10 years should really be having.

It really is a specialist in phobias you need to be looking out for.

jeannieblue

I sympathise greatly with the OP here.

Many moons ago I couldn't even venture into my back garden, let alone the dentist.

OP - I really do not have any answers for you my love. Its a horrid situation to be in, and blase comments about seeing someone for the 'phobia' and getting it sorted, has no idea of the problem! If only it were that easy... :rolleyes:

Only you know best your 'coping methods'. Have you considered the idea of the dentist giving you something to make you relaxed and chilled out 'hippy style'? Would that help? Would you be able to get there in the first place to get the chilled out 'hippy style' effect? Or what if the dentist could give you something to get you half chilled out before you went and then a bit more whilst you have the treatment?

Toothsmith? I think dentists can 'chill' you out .. yes? Or do you only use your charm?