From Dental Phobic to Smiling Customer
April 1, 2010
I have to admit that until very recently mention the word dentist and I would break out in a cold sweat. I think this probably started as a child when I would be subjected to the family visit to the dentist and just walking through the door, smelling that smell and hearing the drill would start me trembling. I won’t admit my age but suffice to say that in those days we didn’t have numbing injections – or at least not that I remember, and every visit seemed to result in the dreaded filling word.
So over the years my trips to the dentist have become more and more infrequent. Once I was no longer dragged there by one of my poor parents I could make the excuse that my teeth seemed fine and I just didn’t really have the time.
About two years ago I had my first experience of tooth ache and I really understood how this could be the worst pain in the world. So I forced myself off to the dentist in terror. I won’t mention the name of the dentist that I saw but I never returned. I went in and explained, feeling rather foolish and embarrassed, that I had a fear of Dentists. After prodding at the offending tooth with me wincing and gripping at the arm of the chair the dentist administered some antibiotics, prodded around some more and I am mortified to admit I ended up in tears! After an embarrassed silence the nurse handed me a tissue and they both turned away whilst I pulled myself together. The dentist then proceeded to tell me that not only would I need extensive treatment on that tooth; all my existing fillings would also need replacing.
Imagine my despair when about six weeks ago I was floored again by pain in a different tooth. I took pain killers every four hours for several days until I finally realised I could stand the pain no longer and would HAVE to visit a dentist. Enter my good friend and her recommendation to Confidental. She kindly agreed to accompany me, even made the appointment and explained my fears.
First impressions count – I was welcomed warmly and seated in the light and airy waiting room – no sign of that dreaded smell and not a drill in earshot either. When my dentist, Sandeep, came to collect me I followed him meekly into his consulting room. He sat me down, asked me calmly about my fears, without making me feel ridiculous and explained that he would have a look at the tooth and see what was causing the problem. There was no prodding, just a very gentle examination and a calm explanation. Sandeep gave me antibiotics and explained that I would need root canal treatment and this would need to be done over 2-3 hour long appointments. Whilst what he was telling me seemed pretty drastic I felt completely confident in his treatment. The nurse even told me I could bring in an IPod if it would help.
Four weeks later and root canal all completed. Of course I was nervous and wanted to back out several times but at the first appointment after being given a numbing injection, which I really could hardly feel, I kept thinking if it gets too bad I’ll ask him stop. That too bad moment never came – in fact no pain at all – and I walked out of that first session thinking ‘What was all the fuss about?’ As is often the case it is the thought of something that is worse than the actual event, but I also believe that it was the kind, clam and respectful manner in which I was treated by Sandeep and his team that has taken the fear away for me. So thank you to the lovely team at Confidental who now have a new and happy patient who will be recommending them to all my friends.
Sadly the original tooth from two years ago that never got treated is now beyond saving and will have to be extracted. What a shame I didn’t visit Confidental then.
A guest post by new Confidental customer Maria Sadler