Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists?

Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (Full Version)

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YourhandMyAss -> Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 3:54:11 PM)
When Daddy was a kid he had a tooth that was supposed to be dead and since it was "dead" the doctor wouldn't use Novocaine and when he pulled the tooth it hurt like a bitch, Daddy says he blacked out after that, but his mom heard him screaming all the way from the waiting room. Ever since then Daddy is TERRIFIED of dentists, you even mention the dentist and he'll be in the car and disapered faster than you could imagine. I thought about sedation dentistry, but he said not only no but fucking no , he's terrified of even the THOUGHT of going and is terrified of the whole place. He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. I thought maybe therapy and hypnosis could help, I know people have sometimes had very good results in getting over very strong fears. He says the problem with that, is the people got over it by immersion in the item they feared, like if you were afraid of rats, they showed you pictures of rats, and then eventually you handled rats. With Dentist fears he said they can't do that. So with the subject being so scary, what could he do to be less afraid or completely un afraid?

Politesub53 -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:05:26 PM)
Therapy may help. If its any consolation, I have a friend who passed out just making an appointment on the phone. Why dont you phone around, and see if any dentists in your area specialise in fearful patients ?

MsLadySue -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:08:12 PM)
I hate going to the dentist as much as the next person. The only way I can force myself to get any work done is to use "sleep dentistry". A person is not really asleep because the dentist can ask you to open your mouth wider and you will, you just don't know it. I'm still given the Novocaine shots but I'm out when it's done so no pain.

slaveboyforyou -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:19:44 PM)
Google is useful for questions like this. I found several websites completely dedicated to the topic. You'll also find advertisements for dentists all over the world that specialize in patients with this phobia. I'm sure there is bound to be someone in your area that does as it is a common fear. http://www.feardentists.com/ http://www.dentalfear.com/faq.asp

Mercnbeth -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:28:03 PM)
this slave went in for a total restoration, as she was unable to chew food anymore. her phobia was so bad, it had to get that bad before she would sit in a dentist's chair again. to begin with, she was sent to a Dental Phobia Clinic at the UCLA School of Dentistry. there is another School of Dentistry in San Francisco that might still have a Dental Phobia Clinic as well. They accepted Medi-Cal for extractions and fillings ONLY, any partials or bridges, as long as you have a pre-molar in your mouth, would have to be paid some other way. they used a combination of valium both the night before and one hour before the procedure, nitrous oxide upon being seated in the chair, complete sedation for the procedure(s) and some behavior modification therapy. after transferring from there to a regular dentist in this slave's hometown, who did not accept any sort of state-sponsored dental insurance, this slave continued with the valium/nitrous oxide regimen and dropped the "lights out" sedation during procedures. it was determined that the numbing medication that dentists use on typical folks for 4-6 hours of numbness only works effectively for this slave for approximately 20-30 minutes, when shot directly into a "tap" on the nerve, drilled into the tooth. as far as seeing the dentist now, this slave has no tooth enamel left, to get cleaned and drilled and filled, just a set of bottom partials and a series of lab-coat white crowns and bridges over four strategically placed stumps, that used to pass for the only viable teeth this slave had left in her mouth.

StrictnSaucy -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:29:52 PM)
I have been there!!! I had (still have) a big fear of dentists. In my early 20s I randomly picked a dentist (back then I thought they were all professional people!) from the golden pages and booked an appointment for some treatment. The treatment went terribly wrong (an extraction, the anesthetic didnt take properly and he left the roots behind). I ignored the situation (being to terrified to go back to a dentist) and to cut a long story short ended with a hole in my face that leaked ikky stuff regularly. I finally decided enough and through a friends recommendation called her dentist. The first thing the dentist did was organise a prescription of valium for me and told me to take a walkman with me to the appointment (my music to keep me calm). He took things very slowly and first visit was a check up. Second was a cleaning. Third was some work. But by this time I was getting more relaxed (still with the help of valium). Through out every visit gave me a feeling of control - by checking in with me all the time and asking for permission before doing anything (even taking a mirror to my mouth! - talk about patience!) I now look forward to my routine check ups and me and dentist are buddies! So my advice would be - encourage your partner to go to a dentist that you or one of his friends knows and trusts. Secondly - the valium is a great help (I would never have gone through it without) and thirdly have him bring something familiar along to occupy himself with - for me it was music, for him it might be the same or a good book or one of those mini dvd players ...... I always had my friend in the room - this gave me great peace of mind. I really hope he gets the courage to go. I know in the years I didnt, it really took its toll on my confidence. Now I have gleaming whiteys :-)

kittinSol -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:44:22 PM)
Confrontation therapy is the only way to go [&:] . Drill, baby, drill!

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 4:58:31 PM)
I understand the fear of dentists. I have had some horrific things happen. However, find one who can handle scared patients. Some use gas. Bring your ipod. Some even have a dvd for you to watch. The good ones can make the visit more barable with their professionalism and skill.

kittinSol -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 5:07:51 PM)
Valium.

servantheart -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 5:46:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss When Daddy was a kid he had a tooth that was supposed to be dead and since it was "dead" the doctor wouldn't use Novocaine and when he pulled the tooth it hurt like a bitch, Daddy says he blacked out after that, but his mom heard him screaming all the way from the waiting room. Ever since then Daddy is TERRIFIED of dentists, you even mention the dentist and he'll be in the car and disapered faster than you could imagine. I thought about sedation dentistry, but he said not only no but fucking no , he's terrified of even the THOUGHT of going and is terrified of the whole place. He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. I thought maybe therapy and hypnosis could help, I know people have sometimes had very good results in getting over very strong fears. He says the problem with that, is the people got over it by immersion in the item they feared, like if you were afraid of rats, they showed you pictures of rats, and then eventually you handled rats. With Dentist fears he said they can't do that. So with the subject being so scary, what could he do to be less afraid or completely un afraid? What your Daddy's childhood dentist did was just plain WRONG. When I was young, I had a couple of accidents involving landing on my face in the street and on a sidewalk, which "killed" the root of two of my permanent teeth, resulting in a complete loss of sensation in both of them. I had to have two root canals done and never once did any dentist touch me to do their work without first using a topical anesthetic to numb the surface of the gums before injecting the local anesthetic. Hopefully someone along the way reported His former dentist. As for your Daddy, I'm not sure if there is any guaranteed method for moving past His fear, but if His dentist is aware of the extent of His phobia, he might be willing to prescribe a mild sedative to take before leaving for the appointment. Some dentists specialize in dealing with phobic patients using a variety of techniques to help reduce fear during treatment. These can range from simple relaxation/visualization exercises to the use of virtual reality headsets. I don't know what dental work your Daddy needs done, but why is He reluctant to the possibility of His dentist using conscious sedation if that is something that can be offered? In this day and age, He shouldn't have to forfeit good dental health because of a past bad experience. Good luck! ~edited because I can't type today [&o]

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 5:55:54 PM)
He's not against the sedation method, infact it's probably the only way you'd ever get him in. He is however terrified even by just MENTIONING that he should go and talking about the subject. It freaks him out I have brought him to tears from the mere topic before. I think all he'd need right now is a good check up and a cleaning, because he doesn't have any teeth pain, ok well one time he had a tooth ache but it's been 7 or 8 months since the pain. However I want him to go so we keep it that way, just needing a cleaning and a check up and maybe one cavity, spend any longer refusing the topic and you may need more work. quote: ORIGINAL: servantheart As for your Daddy, I'm not sure if there is any guaranteed method for moving past His fear, but if His dentist is aware of the extent of His phobia, he might be willing to prescribe a mild sedative to take before leaving for the appointment. Some dentists specialize in dealing with phobic patients using a variety of techniques to help reduce fear during treatment. These can range from simple relaxation/visualization exercises to the use of virtual reality headsets. I don't know what dental work your Daddy needs done, but why is He reluctant to the possibility of His dentist using conscious sedation if that is something that can be offered? In this day and age, He shouldn't have to forfeit good dental health because of a past bad experience. Good luck! ~edited because I can't type today [&o]

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 5:58:25 PM)
KittinSol, one time I had to get my teeth cleaned and I didn't wanna sit in the dentist office alone, so I forced Daddy to sit with me until the dentist came. Someone was having their teeth drilled in the other room and his eyes got so huge and white and he was so petrified. He kept trying to leave and I kept yanking him back and saying no staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay please. At one point he was crying he was so freaked out. He couldn't bolt out of that room fast enough when the Dentist finally came to work on my teeth. quote: ORIGINAL: kittinSol Confrontation therapy is the only way to go [&:] . Drill, baby, drill!

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 6:02:18 PM)
Polite sub, yeah I know there's one in Rocklin who does sedation. It's going to be about 700 to 900 dollars, I got a base line quote from a dentist in San Fransisco, so we won't be able to do it for a while, until our credit card is clear* since we'll be charging it* But maybe the additional time will help him come to peace with even the thought of making an appointment. quote: ORIGINAL: Politesub53 Therapy may help. If its any consolation, I have a friend who passed out just making an appointment on the phone. Why dont you phone around, and see if any dentists in your area specialise in fearful patients ?

servantheart -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 6:43:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss He's not against the sedation method, infact it's probably the only way you'd ever get him in. He is however terrified even by just MENTIONING that he should go and talking about the subject. It freaks him out I have brought him to tears from the mere topic before. I think all he'd need right now is a good check up and a cleaning, because he doesn't have any teeth pain, ok well one time he had a tooth ache but it's been 7 or 8 months since the pain. However I want him to go so we keep it that way, just needing a cleaning and a check up and maybe one cavity, spend any longer refusing the topic and you may need more work. Since you mentioned in another post that it will be a while before He can actually see a dentist, this would be an excellent time to get Him in to see a therapist who specializes in the treatment of phobias and PTSD. When you're able to make the dental appointment, make sure you explain the situation to the dentist to get a feel for his/her attitude and approach to dealing with phobic patients so you'll know what your options are. If you have any doubts at all about the dentist and how your Daddy will be treated, find Him another dentist.

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 6:55:57 PM)
One Dentist on his home page he said we specialize in dealing with cowards, and I thought that was awfully insulting to call potential patients who were afraid cowards. quote: ORIGINAL: servantheart When you're able to make the dental appointment, make sure you explain the situation to the dentist to get a feel for his/her attitude and approach to dealing with phobic patients so you'll know what your options are. If you have any doubts at all about the dentist and how your Daddy will be treated, find Him another dentist.

celticlord2112 -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 7:16:48 PM)
quote: He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. Go down to the local hi-performance auto parts store and get a cylinder of nitrous (aka laughing gas). By the time he sobers up he'll be in the dentist's chair (who hopefully isn't asking him snarky questions like "Is it safe?")

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 7:29:52 PM)
CL I do joke with him that one day I am going to sneak something in his food and before he knew it he'd find himself having gone to the dentist and back again lol. quote: ORIGINAL: celticlord2112 quote: He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. Go down to the local hi-performance auto parts store and get a cylinder of nitrous (aka laughing gas). By the time he sobers up he'll be in the dentist's chair (who hopefully isn't asking him snarky questions like "Is it safe?")

servantheart -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 7:33:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss CL I do joke with him that one day I am going to sneak something in his food and before he knew it he'd find himself having gone to the dentist and back again lol. quote: ORIGINAL: celticlord2112 quote: He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. Go down to the local hi-performance auto parts store and get a cylinder of nitrous (aka laughing gas). By the time he sobers up he'll be in the dentist's chair (who hopefully isn't asking him snarky questions like "Is it safe?") Desperate times do call for desperate measures, right? [8D]

servantheart -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 7:37:11 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss One Dentist on his home page he said we specialize in dealing with cowards, and I thought that was awfully insulting to call potential patients who were afraid cowards. quote: ORIGINAL: servantheart When you're able to make the dental appointment, make sure you explain the situation to the dentist to get a feel for his/her attitude and approach to dealing with phobic patients so you'll know what your options are. If you have any doubts at all about the dentist and how your Daddy will be treated, find Him another dentist. Yeah, that does seem rather insulting. I remember a tv commercial they aired sometime back. Their slogan was "We cater to cowards!" [8\|]

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Are there ways to get over strong deeply rooted fears of dentists? (12/22/2008 7:38:47 PM)
Right! Now I just need someone strong enough to help me haul an unconscious 300 pound Daddy into the car, out of the car and into the Dentists office, Oh and we gotta make sure the Dentist doesn't ask why he's already knocked out[:D]and I am all set as far as making him go to the Dentist goes :P [:D] quote: ORIGINAL: servantheart quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss CL I do joke with him that one day I am going to sneak something in his food and before he knew it he'd find himself having gone to the dentist and back again lol. quote: ORIGINAL: celticlord2112 quote: He says you'd have to have him unconscious before you even left the house to get him to go into the building let alone the private room. Go down to the local hi-performance auto parts store and get a cylinder of nitrous (aka laughing gas). By the time he sobers up he'll be in the dentist's chair (who hopefully isn't asking him snarky questions like "Is it safe?") Desperate times do call for desperate measures, right? [8D]

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