From The Other Side of The Drill: Fear and Loathing In The Dentist’s Office
Nigel asks:
What would you recommend for someone who has avoided the dentist for years due to a bad experience involving pain,who now, however, wants to go back? My concerns range from having another bad experience to being ripped off by the dentist, as I know I will have a fairly large amount of work to be done.
My Dentist (and lovely wife), Melynda:
Well, you’re certainly on the right track by recognizing the importance of your dental health and that you need to see a dentist at some point. Your fears are valid, and there are many people who avoid the dentist for as long as possible for the reasons you’ve described. But this is not a problem that will go away.
Get references from friends or co-workers about dentists they’ve had positive experiences with, and make an appointment ASAP. The sooner you get in there, the more likely you’ll be able to catch problems before they get big and expensive.
During your first visit let the dentist know that you’ve had a bad experience in the past. Tell them what happened that caused you so much pain. Sometimes a simple change, such as using a different kind of anesthetic, will make a world of difference. If the dentist hears your story about the last experience, then she or he can make sure to avoid these sorts of mistakes when treating you. It’s really important that you be able to trust your dentist and feel comfortable talking to them.
Beyond that, nitrous oxide is a great tool for anxious patients.
Your financial concerns are understandable, as well. Dental care is expensive! Especially if you do not have dental insurance. Costs vary from one dentist to another, but you should be able to call several dental offices in your area and ask for approximate pricing for fillings, crowns, etc. This will give you something to use when comparing offices.
If the receptionist seems reluctant to quote you pricing, it’s probably because of the variations of different treatments that can’t be determined without giving you a comprehensive exam. Even the kind of cleaning you get depends on several different factors. To ease your mind, you should know that you can always accept some treatments, and tell the dentist you’d rather wait on the more expensive or the less pressing issues.
If you live near a dental school, and have a lot of time for dental appointments, that’s another good option. Dental school fees are typically half of what you’d be charged in private practice. The care you receive at a teaching facility is very thorough (you have not only your student dentist, but all of the faculty he/she works with as well as specialists in almost every area readily available to provide consults at no charge) but also very slow.
I hope that helps. Once again, the longer you wait, the greater the potential for things to become worse. So start taking steps now, and good luck!
Note from Wade:
You really should just go and get it over with. You’re probably imagining it to be worse than it is. I know I always do that. I’m a huge baby in the dentist’s chair, but by far the the worst part of it all is thinking about it before hand. So stop building it up in your head; get in there and see what you actually need to have done. It’s probably not as bad as you think. I’ve found that it’s a rare thing when reality can match the power of an anxious imagination.
Do you have a question for our dentist? Submit it to Tips with “dentist?” in the subject line.
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