Fear of Dentists


I am new here. I was browsing to see if there were any posts about fear of dentists. I didn't see any. I've had some very bad experiences with dentists who do not understand my fears.

I went to one who I was just beginning to trust a little bit when he screamed at me because I came in after having a tooth extracted and complained of pain that was lasting way too long. It was a dry socket, and I just showed up on a Monday morning because I was still in pain after having the tooth removed the Thursday before. He said to me, "You came in here as if it were some kind of emergency or something. What do you want me to do, torture you by packing it?" Of course, my tearful reply was "no." He proceeded to stick his poky thing right down into the dry socket hole. I put my hand up on my chin and started to cry. He just kept yelling at me about how I gave him such a hard time every time I came to see him. I think this was abusive. I certainly didn't go back. All he did was reinforce my fear.

I am now trying a new dentist, one who my niece has seen since she was just a wee little girl. He is very kind, understanding, and gentle. My teeth are bad because of my fear keeping me from preventive treatments.

I have an appointment with him tomorrow morning to have a broken tooth extracted. I am scared sh*tless, but I have also agreed to having all my teeth X-rayed and having a full exam -- after which he says we'll draw up a plan for the many little cavities I have. I told him last time that I almost felt like I'd rather just have them all pulled out rather than face the fear.

I have two conditions, besides the fear, that complicate matters. When I had my wisdom teeth removed, the oral surgeon damaged a nerve in the lower left quandrant. This left me with parasthesia (sp) there. I have gotten used to it, but it sends little electrical shock feelings through that area when the dentist numbs me. I also have Meniere's Disease, an imbalance of water in my inner ear that makes the sound of the drill go right through my head and cause pain in my ears.

I think this new dentist understands all of these things. We sat and talked -- he actually listens to me -- about all my fears and problems.

Do most dentists really not understand that there of those of us who are scared to death of them? Am I that unusual? Help!

Eva
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Relevant Pages

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