Dentist - I'm terrified!!!

Gillyx

I would say the fear I feel with dentists has been in the past when I don't fully trust them and they don't make any effort to make me feel relaxed.

I've had a few great ones though, who will tell me everything they are doing at that moment in time, friendly manner too. I'd say if you can get a dentist you feel comfortable with, it'l really help.

susieb

In my area - Norfolk - there is a dental access centre, it for out of hours emergenies but also gets people dentally fit beofre registering them with an NHS dentist, the dental access centre is also NHS but they are brill and very used to dealing with people who have not been for ages, might be worth a try.

sashadesade

Poor you, I know how you feel because I used to be scared of the dentist. I remember sitting in the waiting room with my heart thumping even though I was only going for a check up. And I also know what you mean about people being unsympathetic, the usual response I got from people when I told them I was afraid was them telling me horror stories about what had happened to them or their friends at the dentist. Yeah, thanks.
Having an understanding dentist is the most important thing. I see you've been having trouble with this and I hope you find one who can put your mind at ease. My dentist is great and I have absolute faith in her, it helps so much.

purple45

sashadesade wrote: »

the usual response I got from people when I told them I was afraid was them telling me horror stories about what had happened to them or their friends at the dentist. Yeah, thanks.
.

Yes! Why do people do that!!!!!

ajaney

I was scared of the dentist for years. Had a bad experience at 15 so stopped going. Got to 22 & one of my back teeth broke. Went to an NHS dentist & he was an old guy who hurt me so much yanking the tooth out, my fear got worse.

Got to 26 & started getting pain in another tooth. Searched for a lady dentist & phoned the surgery. The receptionist was lovely & put me at ease. At my first appointment, she had a look & explained the options - unfortunately 2 teeth had to come out. I went back & had it done, not plesant but not really painful. I was petrified, sweating, shaking but the dentust was so good at putting me at ease.

7 years on, I go every 6 months & although it cost me £300 to get my teeth put right with fillings initially, I am no longer scared. It is a private practice so I pay £10 per month & this gets me 2 x check-ups/scale & polishes per year plus 1 set xrays every 2 years. Paying the money upfront made me keep going at first plus I have spent nothing else apart from the initial costs. My teeth are in good shape now.

Fear of dentists is really common. Maybe ask your family or friends which dentist they use?

Some dentists offer sedation which can be an option, although not sure if this would be on the NHS.

pearl123

The forum below is very supportive. You can post your treatment stage by stage, which really helps and people give you encouragement. Voice all your concerns. Nearly everyone has a dental phobia - on the website link below. I recommend it highly for getting help.
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?26-Support

brook2jack

Sedation is a specialist service on the nhs and you will need to be referred for it by a dentist. In most areas there will be a waiting list.

Private dentists specialising in treating nervous patients may offer it at an average cost of £120 ish on top of treatment.

Any dentist can prescribe oral sedatives which many people find helpful to get through initial worries when starting treatment.

Melonade

I can fully sympathise with you but unfortunatley can't help what so ever as I'm in pretty much the same position. Had a filling with no needle after taking a funny turn when I was younger and it aint been pleasant since The last time I was about 26 years and had to be dragged in while I was crying/screaming/shaking.

My brother is pretty much the same as me but had work done a few years ago while being sedated. He said it was totally brilliant and he couldn't remember a thing even though he wasn't fully asleep. I'd love to try that but can't afford it

If you can get support from the forum link that was posted I'd try that. Find a nice dentist that you can speak to without having work done. It might help your nerves and put you at ease a bit.

Good Luck

mackemdave

I can beat you all...Im 58 yrs old and have been to dentist once in my life when I was 6.....Id rather have major hospital surgery,which I have done on a number of occassions than set foot inside a dentist...The mental scars of that one visit will stay with me till I die.....

MrsAtobe

Craftingmad, I know that you say you begrudge paying private dental fees, but the money I pay to DenPlan each month (less than twenty quid) is the best money I spend each month, imo. If I have a dental emergency, I can see my dentist within two days. If I have a dental emergency while I'm away, UK or abroad, I can see someone on the same terms. I have a female dentist, who is wonderful (hi, Sarah!) and a wonderful hygienist (hi Karen!). This year, the payments I've made to DenPlan have been less than I would have paid to the NHS, but then I've had problems with two teeth in particular. If I need treatment, then all the options are discussed. Once you've got your teeth sorted, then the emphasis is on prevention, rather than cure, unlike the NHS.

Seriously, don't rule out private dental care, it may end up costing you less with a result you are happier with in the long term.