Who else has dentist-phobia?

This week I had to face my biggest fear; getting a tooth pulled out at the dentist.

 Long wall of text

When I was 12, I was told that the tooth had a small cavity and needed filling. Because of not liking previous experiences of teeth being filled, I refused to cooperate with the school dental nurse, so she was unable to fix the tooth. Previous fillings had always been very painful, even with local anaesthetic. The dental nurse was also known for poking people in the lips with that sharp thing when just checking their teeth.

Since I was 14 or 15, this tooth has given me constant problems. I had been to the dentist a couple of times to get it refilled and stuff, but that was still scary and not too successful. Recently it had gotten to the point where I couldn't even concentrate on my university postgraduate studies, so one of my professors ended up pressuring me to get it pulled out, and helped me with talking to the dentist about it and stuff (In the computer science department at my university, the professors care a huge amount about the students; the department is a pretty tight community). Being a molar tooth, I knew it wouldn't come out easily, and my gums around it would need to be cut open which terrified me.

I don't know how I managed it, but on Wednesday I went in to have it pulled out. I was given light sedation half an hour beforehand (some sedation pills), but was still alert for the whole thing. When it was time to start, I asked the nurse to tie my scarf around my eyes. I then sang from the back of my throat the whole time, and the other people in the room (Dentist, nurse, and another person from computer science there as morale support) guessed which songs I was trying to sing, and I held my thumbs up if they guessed correctly. That silly "game" actually kept me amused the whole time. Everybody laughed when I asked at the end "Were any knives used???" and the answer was yes, and I was surprised.

Afterwards, I was allowed to spend my recovery time sitting in the tea room of the computer science department so all the people there could distract me to help keep my mind off it. By the next day, I was actually able to do my work as the pain wasn't too bad!

It is such a huge relief that one of the biggest sources of physical and emotional pain for the last 10 years of my life is gone. I'm really happy I went through with it, and really grateful to those who pushed me into doing so.

I'm really curious, who else here has dental-phobia?

I do. It's silly and illogical but i can't stand it. It scares me and hurts me inside to think of having a tooth pulled out.

I hate it.

I have no fear of going to the dentist.

Where's the "I find it troublesome but I go anyways" choice? When I needed teeth pulled out or need to get a filling I just asked for some Novacaine injected into my mouth and get it over with. A little pain for virtually little to no pain for the rest of the required visit. Routine cleaning? Eh, just bear with it. So I'd say no fear.

My dentist is like one of those old fatherly grandfathers.

My parents have to drive like an hour to get to him >_>.

Where's the "What's a dentist?" option?

Where's the "What's a dentist?" option?

*vomits*

Hope you're joking.



I love going to the dentist. A good smile is all you need to get by in life.

I'm afraid of the dentist and haven't been in 3 years. Except I haven't been because healthcare sucks and a simple checkup costs a ridiculous amount. Even if I needed work done, after the consultation I wouldn't have the spare $$$$. Also the dentist lost control of the drill in my tooth once and now I'm sadface when I think about the dentist.

I'm afraid of the dentist and haven't been in 3 years. Except I haven't been because healthcare sucks and a simple checkup costs a ridiculous amount. Even if I needed work done, after the consultation I wouldn't have the spare $$$$. Also the dentist lost control of the drill in my tooth once and now I'm sadface when I think about the dentist.

Yeah, the cost is ridiculous in NZ in particular, largely because there is NO government subsidy for dental care. And my tooth extraction was more expensive than most cause I had it done by one of the best dentists in Christchurch as it was a hard to remove one and I was very nervous so I was referred there. (Although in my case it was probably worth it. I've heard horror stories of difficult teeth getting broken into many pieces and then pieces getting left behind. That would be the last thing I need. I know that mine all came out as the roots were still in one piece :-))

Wat

isn't dental care free? we get free dental care here

I had, then i changed dentists and met my current one some years ago. She's always so nice, chats about everything and makes you feel nice around it, if you're not feeling well, she stops, and actually is very persistent for you to lose your fear. Since then i've never had any problems with going there, actually, i like to go there now. :o

I haven't been to the dentist in a year, at least.
I brush my teeth well, and my parents are fine with this.
They hate how much it costs, and since money is tight with everyone, plus my parents are divorced, and I'm starting private high school this year (which my sister's been at for 2 years), it's a win-win for everyone.

Dentist are just teeth rapist in disguise...

I love it.

I enjoy the aftermath of going to the dentist, but I hate the process. If that makes sense.

I look forward to going.

I don't really fear the tools or anything. The problem is when I start thinking about what ifs.

Like, what if the dentist slips and his drill obliterates the insides of my mouth, or something... then I get scared.

I ♥ going to the dentist! LOVE IT!

I hate going to any type of doctor. Not because I'm scared of them, but because I really don't need to know what the multiple things wrong with me are. I'd rather just live with them, and then die when I die

I have horrible teeth. I have cavities no matter what I do.

My fillings always fall apart after a couple of weeks.

I used to get so depressed. But then I forced myself to stop caring because I got too depressed.