Are you afraid of the dentist? Why or why not?
We have a story in today’s health section about a new device some dentists are using. It let’s patients push a button when the pain of the drill is too much. It stops the drilling. Stops the pain. Warns the dentist to back off a bit.
“When I heard about it, I immediately thought ‘this is a good idea,’ ” we quote Dr. Michael White, a Webster Groves dentist. “The No. 1 reason why patients leave their dentists is because they hurt them.”
The story goes on to say, “In fact, the American Dental Association estimates that 35 million adults have so much anxiety about dental visits that they worry, postpone or avoid seeing their dentist. “
I am not afraid of my dentist. Maybe it’s because I’ve been lucky. Only one cavity. I’m a bit of a creature of habit, though. They make the appointment for six months hence and I dutifully put it on my calendar.
How about you? Are you good about going to the dentist? Why or why not? Any dental horror stories to share? Is the “button” a good idea? Or do people who are afraid of the dentist just have to suck it up and stop whining?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
Heck yeah I’m afraid of the dentist. You want a scary Halloween costume? Go as a dentist. Watch the kids scatter.
My first dentist had a nervous twitch. The thought, as a child, that it might occur as he was drilling had me terrified. Took a long time and several dentists before I got beyond this fear.
I don’t fear the dentist. I think the button is the dumbest idea I’ve heard in a long time. If a person is that worried about a little discomfort either have the dentist knock you out, or just let your teeth rot out of your head.
Afraid of the dentist… no not really.
Afraid of the dentist’s bill… absolutely.
Even with my ‘dental health coverage’ or whatever they call it. I still pay out of pocket for anything other than a regular checkup.
I was blessed with adult molars that came in so young as a child the enamel had not hardened. Despite at least twice a day brushing, flossing, regular 6-mo dental exams I still have back teeth full of fillings, two crowns, and a root canal. I’m still under 30.
The work isn’t painful, the lack of health-care coverage does. The only reason I wouldn’t go to the dentist is to save for their next big $$$ bill.
I cringe at the idea of seeing the dentist, even for just a cleaning! And it dosen’t help that my old and now my new dentist both think I am being such a big baby and hold me so!! I have a prety high tolerance for pain (passed a kidney stone with no meds etc…) but there is something about my teeth that I can’t stand any drills!! Why don’t they understand??
Timely topic. I just had a six month checkup and cleaning an hour ago.
Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’ve never had a problem with dental work. Haven’t had a cavity filled since I was fourteen and I was blissfully asleep when wisdom teeth were pulled. I know everyone has a different tolerance for pain but I think the pain button is silly. I know people who would never let it go. Scrapings and root canals are no fun, but honestly, dentistry isn’t exactly frontier medicine. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
Dr. Zell would like to know: “Is it safe?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG5Qk-jB0D4
I had a horrible experience as a child. The dentist basically didn’t believe me when I told him I wasn’t numb and was feeling everything!! I was crying and hysterical and he didn’t seem to care one bit. The shut up and take it attitude. It was a traumatic event that I never got over and had avoided the dentist at all costs for decades after. Even with tooth aches, I’d choose to live with the pain than go to a dentist. It wasn’t until I finally went to Dr. Tim Grayam and Dr. Barry Brace because they offer sedation dentistry. They were a god send for me. I don’t know anything about this button idea but it also does sound like a good idea. I do know that sedation did work awesome for me. I had 23 years of dental neglect in my mouth and was able to get it all fixed at one time and didn’t have to feel or remember any of it. Now I can smile again without putting my hand over my mouth and look forward to my cleanings. I’m beginning to sound like an advertisement but so what because they helped regain my trust for the dental field again.
Dennis Done… the best dentist around. Enough said.
I’m with potter145. The only pain I dread regarding dental procedure is the suffering of my bank account because of the shrinking benefits packages we get nowadays. (My “carrier” covers 25% of crowns. But hey, remember now, all you commie-libs out there — we don’t need to change our health insurance systemm right?….nah….)
This button thing is silly — more overkill for a persnickety public that needs to get over itself. My dentist will not use nitrous oxide, anesthesia, hypnotherapy, transcendental meditation, or any such nonsense. When she’s drilling, if it starts getting hot and I so much as raise an eyebrow, she stops and asks me if I need more novocaine. I see no need for anything beyond this, but to each his/her own.
But I hear Ann also, and I believe there are legions out there who were traumatized by poor dental practices of a generation ago. It is difficult to restructure your thinking and gut-level response to a situation you were conditioned to dread at an early age.