What's the best way to approach this? - Dental Health Message Board

Azarae · 11-02-2004, 12:04 AM

Okay, I had a regular dentist until about 1.5 years ago, he was great until he performed a root canal without my permission...

Anyways, so I have insurance again & am in the market for a dentist. I know my teeth are a wreck & I need alot of work.

My problem is that 99% of the secretarys are in a hurry & don't have any time to hear ANY thing I have to ask them.

Heh, I'm 31 years old & petrified of the dentist. The last dentist finally started prescribing valium(2 before each visit) for me after he saw the huge bruises I left on my hands from folding them, then clenching down..

So how do I ask about getting something to relieve the anxiety ahead of time without sounding like a drug-addict/junkie? The dozen or so I've talked to definitely treated me like I was & I'm guessing I must be approaching it wrong?

The problem is even setting foot in the office makes me want to scream & run back out...okay, just typing about it makes me a little nutso...it's a long story but I know I have issues with the dentist..how do I find out if the dentist is willing to work with me on this??

Thanks,
K.

DFC · 11-02-2004, 07:19 AM

IMO, the best way to approach this is to ask around friends, colleagues, family, or your doctor (if you have one) and get a personal recommendation for a dentist who's good with nervous patients. Then set up an appointment just for a chat and figure out if you like the dentist and if s/he's willing and able to work with you on this.

If you can't get a personal recommendation, try e-mailing dentists with your dilemma and see if and how they respond.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azarae

Okay, I had a regular dentist until about 1.5 years ago, he was great until he performed a root canal without my permission...

Anyways, so I have insurance again & am in the market for a dentist. I know my teeth are a wreck & I need alot of work.

My problem is that 99% of the secretarys are in a hurry & don't have any time to hear ANY thing I have to ask them.

Heh, I'm 31 years old & petrified of the dentist. The last dentist finally started prescribing valium(2 before each visit) for me after he saw the huge bruises I left on my hands from folding them, then clenching down..

So how do I ask about getting something to relieve the anxiety ahead of time without sounding like a drug-addict/junkie? The dozen or so I've talked to definitely treated me like I was & I'm guessing I must be approaching it wrong?

The problem is even setting foot in the office makes me want to scream & run back out...okay, just typing about it makes me a little nutso...it's a long story but I know I have issues with the dentist..how do I find out if the dentist is willing to work with me on this??

Thanks,
K.

courtenaynt · 11-02-2004, 12:18 PM

I also have a severe phobia of the dentist. They should be equiped to handle this--it's not as rare as you think. I would go in for a consultation and tell your dentist then (not his secretary) about all your concerns and past experiences. Tell him you're phobic and it's kept you from getting the work done. If he does not seem sympathetic, don't schedule work with him. But I urge you to go to someone--I went after putting it off for years and had bad infections in my bone that could have resulted in loss of my front teeth. So I had to have surgery (my worst fear!) but he used IV sedation since I'm petrified, and I was out for the whole things and only had pain after for a few days--mild, managed by meds--and really think my fear of going was worse than any procedure I could imagine.

There are dentists out there who understand. Make sure you find one who can help you get over your fears.

Good luck!

brwneyez9 · 11-02-2004, 05:50 PM

Yea i would ask around. When you call you can ask if that dentist does sedation dentistry. They will know what you are talking about if they do it.They usually like to see you for a consultation first.They will not think you are some drug addict. People call alot with that question. good luck

kehorner · 11-04-2004, 07:44 PM

You could just start crying when they tell you about the work they want to do and say that you are scared of getting it done and get kind of hysterical. (It worked on the last guy I saw!!!) I went to a new dentist and he was telling me that he never use nitrous oxide and how he was going to stick the needle in sensitive places and it didn't sound nice at all (plus, I didn't really like him based on my first impression) so I ended up crying and he prescribed xanax. I ended up going to a different dentist to get the work done and I told him that I had been prescribed xanax for dental work and he didn't ask any questions, just asked if I needed a refill. I would think that any compassionate dentist with a good bedside manner wouldn't think you were an addict if you asked for a prescription, and if they aren't willing to prescribe that stuff then you probably don't want to see them anyway.