Photo courtesy of Yingpis Kalayom / Unsplash
The receptionist handed me a four-page disclaimer/waiver on a clipboard. I was asked to initial each item as accepting the risk and agreeing to hold harmless the oral surgeon for any of the possible negative outcomes. Here are just four of them:
* Broken jawbone * Infection *Dry socket * Cracked teeth
I was there for a fifteen minute appointment to expose two dental implants. At the prior visit, the surgeon had made it sound like a minor activity. Broken jawbone?
I began to feel the familiar clamminess wash over me. My lifelong fear of all things dental settled in my bones.
As it turned out, the receptionist had given me the wrong form. But it was too late; the anxiety was already encamped. I could feel my pulse racing.
Growing up, I had a terrible dentist. I don’t know how my mother originally chose him. Maybe he was within her “six children budget” for dental work.
For whatever reason, I had many dental issues as a kid. I recall lots of horrendously painful toothaches. There was one abscess that landed me in the hospital.
The last time we visited that childhood dentist, I had a higher-than-normal buildup of fear. As he began drilling a tooth, I told him to stop, that I felt sick. He ignored me and kept on, stopping only when I threw up on him.
Yes, I did feel better after that. Thanks for asking.
For the past thirty years I’ve had a wonderful family dentist. Besides being knowledgeable and highly competent, he’s also one of the sweetest, kindest, and most gentle souls on the face of the earth. (Yes, I’m talking about you, Dr. Tom Sentz.)
Despite that, I still hate going to the dentist for anything. I even get worked up over having my teeth cleaned.
I’m honest with my dentist. I’ve told him that I’d rather visit my gynecologist and then pop over to the hospital for a mammogram than have a cavity filled. Ladies, you understand the analogy. Gentlemen, turn your heads and cough.
So how did my appointment unfold today? As I waited for the oral surgeon, I recalled an article I had just read about overcoming embedded fears. One suggestion was to ask yourself how likely is it that the most terrible thing you’ve imagined will happen.
Hmm…unless the oral surgeon (also a kind and gentle soul) became angry and hit me, it was really quite unlikely that I would leave with a broken jaw. Then I started my deep breathing that I recommend for overcoming public speaking anxiety. Focus as you take long, slow breaths.
I wonder if anyone looks forward to going to the dentist. Surely I can’t be a lone wolf.
Do dentists dread going to the dentist?
And why would anyone choose a profession where your “customers” hate coming to see you?
By then I was feeling really bad about my dental attitude. Maybe we should establish a “Be Kind to Your Dentist” week to make up for all of our collective negative feelings.
I could take Dr. Sentz some peanut brittle or gummy worms.
Uhh…I meant celery and carrot sticks. Really.
I was the same way as a child! I’d get so worked up knowing that I had a dental appointment (hated my dentist, too) that I couldn’t even go to school that day. Mom would have to cancel my appointment, only to reschedule it & go through the anxiety all over again.
I’ve even been known to tell dentists that I’d rather be at the gynecologist!
Who knew we had this in common-
Ya, I don’t know whether our dentists are saying TMI or what, but it’s a strange attitude to have in common! Ha.
Dr. Vincent Murry has been our dentist for many , many years. He is kind and gentle and has taken care of my family. But, he is forever telling me to open my fists and relax. My reply has always been, “I love you Doc, but I hate what you do for a living”! Childhood experiences have terrorized us all! They play music and even have a little tiny dog to hold in your lap. Still doesn’t replace the relief feeling of jumping out of the chair when done.
What time do you need to go to the Dentist? Tooth Hurty HA HA HA HA!
Wait, they give you a DOG to hold? A real dog or a stuffed animal? I get so tense I would probably squeeze him too hard!
I can’t relate, to this one, Norma . I love to go to the dentist! I find it very relaxing. Are there others out there?
So far just the two of you! Every issue needs some outliers!
I’m sure the family can relate to your feelings as well. My first dentist visit (as told by my mother…I don’t really remember), I bit the poor guy. Not because I was scared but because my brother and I had an argument about who was going to be first and when the receptionist came out and said ” ladies before gentlemen, I lost the battle. I took it out on the dentist. I think I was about 4 or 5 at the time. Maybe I’ve been a little sympathetic towards them since then.
I’m with you, Linda. I have never ever been fearful of any dentist. However, I do know that our daughter Megan is just like you, Norma. She even asks for an anesthetic when she has her teeth cleaned!
Not to sound like a rain on any parade, but I do know someone who just suffered from a broken jaw — yes, a broken jaw — following an extraction gone (or done?) bad… She has already gone through a four-month ordeal of medications, pick-lines, excruciating pain, surgery to install plates, and it is far from over. Malpractice does happen, in every medical field., and fortunately just as the exception.
Oh gosh, what an ordeal for your friend. I’m so sorry to hear about this. I pray the rest of the process goes more easily for her.