toothsmith-please could i have some help

random456

Just out of interest Toothsmith..what would YOU do if someone came to your surgery, needed urgent work but started crying and all that pallava? (hitting over head with a lump hammer I'm afraid is not an option!!)

mattsue

pumpa, i was refered to my community dentist at the hospital through my dr, as i basically had alot of trouble with my teeth, my dentist couldnt see the cause, and i basically completely crumbled. i was in such an anxous state that they had to put me on medication first to calm me down.
i would advise you to go to your dr and explain how awful and overly anxous about it all you have become and ask to be referred to your hospitals dental dept. i can assure you that there really is nothing to worry about, its all the thoughts, and imagining all the worst possible scinario's that is the worst part. in reality, it will b nothing like you are thinking it will be like. xx

Toothsmith

pumpa wrote: »

Just out of interest Toothsmith..what would YOU do if someone came to your surgery, needed urgent work but started crying and all that pallava? (hitting over head with a lump hammer I'm afraid is not an option!!)

Damn! There goes plan A then!

The very hardest thing is coming through the front door in the first place. In all honesty, a patient that nervous is probably more likely to come over all unnecessary at the reception desk when the receptionist says 'hello' rather than when they walk into the surgery.

By the time the medical history has been filled out in the waiting room, the effect of actually entering the building has worn off, and , assuming that there aren't too many screams coming from previous patients, and not too many rush out clutching their faces with blood pouring everywhere, even the most determined nervous wreck can see it's all really not as bad as they thought.

So - when the time comes to go in, that patient is only mildly terrified rather than absolutely petrified.

Should someone dissolve into jelly at the desk, then a swift cup of tea and a sit down and a gentle talk from my practice manager can soon calm people down to some sort of functional state. If it can't, (And No-one has ever had to do this with me) then they would be sent home, but making sure the positive message that at least they got through the door would be reinforced. We would probably ask them to come back, but without an appointment to actually go into the surgery - so they could just sit and get used to being in the waiting room. One stage at a time.

If you've read any of my many posts about how to find a dentist, you will know that I really push actually visiting the practice you intend to use to simply pick up a practice leaflet, or to enquire about services. This actually gets a lot of the 'unknown' component out of the way, as at least your proper appointment will then at least be in a place you've already familiarized yourself with. This is something that will not have happened if you have only telephoned. Plus - you can also explain how you feel at the visit, and so the staff are prepared for you.

Once in the surgery, the first part of the initial examination should be all about what you feel is the problem, and what your goals are. No decent dentist should whack you down on your back before at least a few minutes of chat.

In that bit, it could well emerge that your main goal is just to be able to sit in the chair with a heart rate of less than 170!!! And that is a fine and worthy goal to start with.

However many appontments it takes to actually get to look inside your mouth is up to you (BUT - I would charge for each appointment ) Once you are relaxed and confident though, you will be no harder to treat than anybody else.

There are some dentists who offer all sorts of happy pills and potions to nervous patients. Personally, I've never felt the need, and as I find treating nervous patients personally very stressful, I really don't go out of my way to attract them.

I do have some very nervous people come to me though, and by just taking time on them, I don't find drugging them up to be necessary at all. Sometimes, they can come to rely on the drugs - and I'd rather convert them into 'normal' people!!!

As I said earlier, I don't get the feeling that much is wrong with your teeth that can't be explained by your other problems. I think it vital that you develop a good relationship with a decent dentist though, both for now and for your long term health.

Spend some time visiting local practices for information, and just getting used to going into a dental practice. When you find one where you feel confident you will be listened to and looked after, and you can afford - then book an appointment and go for it.

I want to hear that you have seen a dentist by the end of October at the latest!!!!

You have your mission!!!

random456

My dentist currently has a 6-8 month waiting list so end of October isn't going to happen!
Bad day today people...even though I'm being SO scrupulous one of my gums has gone all swollen and throbbing, driving me mad. (This is the usual one that does this, I have a larger gap between my canines and the molar next to it as that is where I had teeth out for my brace and it's always there that it swells up)
It's like it's trying to remind me all the time! So dissappointed, and anxious..still at least I have my psych appt tomorrow so that's something making me sightly less anxious, just that someone understands this stupid mental thing
So, I expect after it goes back to normal it will recede...I'm doing my best, not fair!!
Thanks everyone on this thread you have all really helped me

Toothsmith

If your dentist has a 6-8 month 'waiting list' for patients with problems, then he ain't your dentist!!!

You can do much better than that.

The mission remains!!!

random456

Lol no I am registered with them but my parents just tried to make an appointment and they were told they have to wait 6 months to see our regular dentist.

Toothsmith

So what are you doing?