Looking for a Dentist and Advice

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Folks,

My last visit to the dentist was about 10+ years ago (I know I know). I've had some toothache this weekend so I need to go visit. The problem is I'm absolutely terrified of the dentist and I'm also worried at how much it might cost seeing as I haven't been in a long long time.

I've heard that some dentists use lasers instead of a traditional drill, does anyone in Dublin city centre use them, are they effective? The last time I went (about 10 years ago) was to a chap in Naas who was absolutely brilliant with me. As soon as he walked into the room he saw I was pale as a sheet and when he was doing his work he would count to 5 and stop for a moment and repeat this process.
I would ideally need to find someone who is patient and understanding as I will be very tense in the chair and terrifed as hell. Can you reccomend anyone?

I'm also a little confused about the whole price thing. I had thought dentists were very expensive but my father and work colleagues keep mentioning PRSI to me. I've been working for the last 7 years so how does this affect things? Do I pay him/her the full price up front and get it back later or a reduced fee there and then?

Many thanks for any help/advice/reassurance given.

Kintarō Hattori

I know I haven't waited too long but does anyone have any advice? I was thinking about (dreading) making an appointment today.

tbh

I use a dentist on Nassau ST. I don't think they use laser, but I too was terrified, and they were very good with me. I'm happy to send you the name via PM if you like, also I'm going tomorrow and could ask about the laser?

Again, no expert, but when I went (first time in ten years too!) they took my PRSI number and AFAIK, there are certain treatments that it covers, you pay for the rest. The dentist themselves could probably tell you more.

Kintarō Hattori

Many thanks tbh, PM sent.

Talking to some colleagues today and it seems that I'll have to pay full whack to the dentist and if I'm lucky I'll get reimbursed from revenue with a cheque. Is this accurate?

tbh

pm sent

My experience was that they didn't charge me for the work I was entitled to...other practises may work differently tho.

Dandelion6

I phoned Citizens Information about this yesterday. Basically they explained that if you have been working full time for at least five years (not necessarily consecutive), and you worked full time during the relevant tax year (2007 in this case) you should qualify for the PRSI scheme.

They said when you call the dentist you should mention that you intend to avail of this scheme and they may be able to pre-clear you, which would mean you only have to pay the amount not covered by the scheme. However if it's an urgent appointment you may have to pay up front and be reimbursed.

deRanged

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Hey Folks,

My last visit to the dentist was about 10+ years ago (I know I know).

can't help you with any of the other questions but:

about three months ago I went to a dentist for the first time in about 15 years. I absolutely hate being at the dentist, hence the delay. I just had a feeling that it was time to go, before something bad happened.
I explained that it had been a while - it was obvious to him anyway. He worked slowly, explaining everything he did. Took x-rays, cleaned my teeth over two sessions. I needed a couple of fillings from him - this had me worried, as I remember how unpleasant the injections were (this is what worried me most). I was very nervous the morning of the first one, but I can honestly say I couldn't even feel the injection. I don't know what the new procedures are, but it was no problem at all. Even the numbness wasn't much of an issue. I needed several more fillings, and moved to another dentist in the practise for the white ones. This guy was just as patient as the first one. By this time my confidence was building, and I found that asking a lot of questions helped - like knowing what they were doing. They were both very happy to explain. The second guy used the short stint of work with the short break technique - it's brilliant. Lets you relax regularly, and you know that no matter what he's doing, it's only going to be for 30 seconds or so.
It all went to well in the end that I even elected to get some old fillings replaced - me actually asking for more work? I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, I just hope this helps.
I'm in Cork, or I'd recommend the guys I visited.

Kintarō Hattori

Thanks for your help folks. I made an appointment for Thursday with the place tbh recommended. Nervous as hell.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Thanks for your help folks. I made an appointment for Thursday with the place tbh recommended. Nervous as hell.

Being brave is doing something even though you are fearful. Well done and best of luck. I would like if you would post after you appointment. I bet will be wondering what you were afraid of in the first place.

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Guys,

Just back from seeing the dentist, a really nice guy. I was nervous as hell (I had even drawn a little diagram to show him the problem tooth/teeth). He was very reassuring and explained what the problem was and what my options were.

Everyone hates the drill and I was fearful of this but it wasn't a problem. I didn't feel it and it wasn't so noisey. In the end the tooth couldn't be saved so he had to extract it and do you know what.......... there wasn't any pain in doing that. I didn't feel any pain throughout the whole thing.

If you're a nervous patient like me I highly reccomend this place (can't mention the name here so feel free to pm). He was calming and told me what all my options were before he did anything. I have to go back in 2 weeks and see how things are going and I'm not dreading that.

Thanks guys and especially tbh for recommending the place. Now I just have to remember to floss floss and floss which I've never done before.

tbh

deadly man, fair play - I'd say it's a load off your mind!

janeyxox

could you please PM me his name. really need a good dentist, im terrified of dentist. Thanks

res ipsa

(I had even drawn a little diagram to show him the problem tooth/teeth).

I wish more ppl would do this, Kintaro, could u upload ure diagram by any chance?

RolfHarris

I avoided going to the dentist for ages, and plucked up the courage last year. My teeth were in OK condition, but I knew I couldn't put it off forever.

I was amazed how different things are to the dentists surgery when I was a kid, and how nice the dentist was. I asked him to explain what he was doing, why he was doing it and how long he'd take, and he did exactly that.

He was extremely good at putting me at my ease, and it turned out that the most painful part was getting my chequebook out at the end of the session.

He did a fair amount of work and got my teeth up to a very good standard. I went to see him today as I do every six months, and had totally forgotten about the appointment until I saw my diary - in the past I'd have had sleepless nights for weeks in advance of the appointment.

On the way out, I noticed his notes about me on his PC monitor. The first entry began "patient very nervous." I'm delighted he took note of this and did something about it.

If anyone is putting off going to do the dentist because of awful childhood memories, forget it. It's a totally different experience these days.