Advice on dental treatment for nervous patients

JemimaPD

Can anyone help me please???

I had a really bad experience with a dentist about 7 years ago as i had left her practice feeling like i had completed 5 rounds with mike tyson, not to mention when i asked her to stop drilliing as it was really sore she told me to stop being a baby (I was 18 then).

I absolutely hate going to the dentist but I went yesterday to see one (the practice was recommended by a friend) as i had noticed the start of a cavity on one of my molars. I explained to the receptionist that i am a nervous patient and she said that it'll be fine so i went to the apt. The dentist was not very helpful or encouraging, he was foreign (not a problem for me except i could hardly understand him) and said i had the start of 5 cavities. He dealt with two teeth which needless to say was extremely painful and uncomfortable. I had to make a second apt to sort out the remaining 3 teeth and i asked if it was possible to get sedated the next time as i was really stressed and felt very uncomfortable. I was told that on simple fillings that this was not possible but if i insisted on this it would cost an extra €170 on top of the bill for the fillings which are €40 each. My main problem is the sound of the drill and the sensation in the gums too. I get really scared and nervous to the sound as it sounds like fingernails on a chalk board and it sends me crackers.

Can anyone who has been in my situation let me know how they have dealt with it or if anyone can recommend some practices that will sedate or even knock you out for the simple treatments.

shellyboo

JemimaPD wrote: »

Can anyone who has been in my situation let me know how they have dealt with it or if anyone can recommend some practices that will sedate or even knock you out for the simple treatments.

He *will* sedate you... he told you, it costs €170. It's an extra service, presume it takes up more of his time since he has to wait for you to come out of sedation... I'm not sure there are many dentists who would provide this extra, unnecessary service for free.

Catari Jaguar

Hi! Smiles dental has nervous patient management. They use sedation I think. There are branches in Dublin 1 & 2, Cork and Galway.

Smiles Website

Mr. Presentable

OP, it sounds like you had a bad experience with your dentist. Dental treatment is a little uncomfortable, but not painful. You should go to a different dentist and have a better experience.

kelle

Where are you based, OP? The dentist I go to came highly recommended by a work colleague of mine who was really terrified of dentists, but this particular one took away all her fears.

jellie

I feared going to the dentist for a long time, had a bad experience about 10 yrs ago with a horrible horrible dentist & put off going back until i was actually in pain from a tooth (v stupid of me). i was nervous & the dentist was absolutely lovely to me, really really nice man & in the end i felt stupid for putting it off for so long.

JemimaPD wrote: »

Can anyone help me please???

I had a really bad experience with a dentist about 7 years ago as i had left her practice feeling like i had completed 5 rounds with mike tyson, not to mention when i asked her to stop drilliing as it was really sore she told me to stop being a baby (I was 18 then).

sounds like she was just being a b*tch. it wouldve put me off too.

JemimaPD wrote: »

The dentist was not very helpful or encouraging

There are dentists out there that WILL be

JemimaPD wrote: »

He dealt with two teeth which needless to say was extremely painful and uncomfortable. I had to make a second apt to sort out the remaining 3 teeth and i asked if it was possible to get sedated the next time as i was really stressed and felt very uncomfortable. I was told that on simple fillings that this was not possible but if i insisted on this it would cost an extra €170 on top of the bill for the fillings which are €40 each. My main problem is the sound of the drill and the sensation in the gums too. I get really scared and nervous to the sound as it sounds like fingernails on a chalk board and it sends me crackers.

i dont think you shouldve felt pain during the drilling? i was drilled within an inch of my life but it didnt feel right when he started so he gave me another couple of doses of anasthetic & eventually i felt nothing. in the end the only discomfort i had was the fact that i had to keep my mouth open.

JemimaPD wrote: »

Can anyone who has been in my situation let me know how they have dealt with it or if anyone can recommend some practices that will sedate or even knock you out for the simple treatments.

Where are you? If youre in the south dublin area I can give you the name of a lovely dentist. PM me if you want it

JemimaPD

sar84 wrote: »

Where are you? If youre in the south dublin area I can give you the name of a lovely dentist. PM me if you want it

I'm based in Longford but to be honest if i've to travel for a decent enough dentist who wont frighten the sh1t out of me I'll do it:)

He gave me an anesthetic into the gums then asked me to wait outside while the anesthetic took hold. I was rattling and not once did he or the nurse ask if i was ok. The other patients in the waiting room asked if i was ok. The drill noise is also a major problem like i said. He drilled for a total of 20mins on two teeth and i am not kidding i nearly p1ssed myself from the anxioty. How do i get over that??

tinkerbell

I hate the dentist too but perhaps somebody on here can give you the name of a good one who put their fears at bay.

On the drill noise thing ... why don't you buy yourself some earplugs? At least it wouldn't appear to be as loud then and maybe that might calm you ever so slightly?

InReality

I'd try the smiles place.They are professional and specialize in nervous clients.

star-pants

Apart from trying those places recommended -- would you perhaps bring someone with you, to hold your hand or at least be a voice there that you know?
I go into the dentist with my mother because she is terrified, she still gets very nervous but I can usually talk her through it.

ellie1

i had very bad experience as a child with various dentists.I had to go to the dentist recently because the pain was so bad I had no choice. I went to the dentist and I cried getting a filling. Seriously.:D

The next time I went (I went back a week later) the dentist was fantastic with me. She stopped drilling when I asked as the anesthitic hadnt taken effect. She was very patient and kind. I would have no problem recommending her , she made feel so at ease. She is south side dublin if thats any use.

cgc5483

JemimaPD wrote: »

I'm based in Longford but to be honest if i've to travel for a decent enough dentist who wont frighten the sh1t out of me I'll do it:)

These guys are good and specialise in nervous patients. Ask to get Nick, he's great. Dublin based though.


http://www.portobellodental.com/homepage.htm

JemimaPD

cgc5483 wrote: »

These guys are good and specialise in nervous patients. Ask to get Nick, he's great. Dublin based though.


http://www.portobellodental.com/homepage.htm

Just gave them a call to query some things, the sedation (€250) and cost of the fillings are double what the dentist in Longford is charging. I think
i might just give up and take the crying while sitting on the chair with earplugs in my ears or maybe my mp3 player might work if they allowed it.

ash_18x

my brother is a really bad patient and his dentist prescribed him some sort of tablet that you get in the chemist and to take an hour or two before he ever has to go. it makes him totally stupid but he doesnt mind going to the dentist and getting anything done once he has taken it. the only thing is he cant drive for a few hours after it or while he has taken it.
i dont know the name of it or anything but i do know it doesnt cost alot. i will ask him this evening and send you a PM. His dentist is based in Dungarvan.