Scared of dental treatment

[Wayne1963]

I'm new here, & i'm not sure if this a dicussable topic, But i become extremely anxious about going to the dentist, to the point where i've been to my Doctor & asked for a mild tranquizler, because i get agitated almost to the point of a panic attack everytime i just get in the chair.
I feel dizzy & panicky if i the dentist has to put the chair so that i'm totally horizontal, & opening my mouth wide enduces a strong gag reflex. Sometimes i've had to halt dental procedures because i start gagging & wretching.
This wasn't so bad in recent because my dentist & i kind of got used to each other. But now i've got a new dentist who is a young female (i'm a 44yr old man) & i feel too embarrassed to talk to her about it, especially in the presence of the young dental nurses.
I'm an NHS patient, & tomorrow i have to go for a crown prep, & i'm dreading it.
I was wondering if younger dentists are made aware of people with dentist phobias during their training, & basically i'm looking for any advice on what for me is a difficult matter.
Thanks in advance.
Wayne.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I teach at  dental school and the students are taught to be empathetic to their patients needs and I do not think you should be embarrassed to speak to her about your phobia. In fact I think it is imperative that she knows were you are coming from so that she can treat you accordingly. I am sure that you are aware that there are dentist that do dentistry under sedation anesthesia.That is something that you might want to investigate.

[Wayne1963]

Thanks very much for that.
I think you're right that i should speak to her first. I managed build a certain rapport with my previous dentist, & treatment became slightly less of a huge issue, as he was so supportive.
I think will ask if i can have a quick, quiet word with her in private, before she begins treatment, & take it from there.
I appreciate the reply. I think i probably just needed a bit of encouragement. I struggle with it because millions of normal people go to the dentist everyday without being such a wimp. I do feel very embarrassed about it, but i'll take your advice.
Thanks again.
Wayne.

[Wayne1963]

Just a 'courtesy call' to say that i followed your advice. My new dentist was very understanding after i'd talked to her, & the procedure went ok.
Apologies for cluttering the place up with an 'off-topic' thread, & thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.
All the best,
Wayne.

[elizabeth c.]

I just wanted to say good for you Wayne for confronting your fear and talking to the dentist. My sister had dental phobia for years and she took the route of just not ever going to the dentist. Now her teeth are in terrible shape and she is even more afraid to go because she is ashamed of her teeth. I think your post was totally relevant and important for lots and lots of people who feel the same fear. So , just wanted to say thanks.
elizabeth

[sp-CA]

I just wanted to say that you are not alone regarding your fear of the dentist!!!  I have have so much work done in the past that had to be redone and redone that I just stopped going.  I didn't want to face the expense, embarrasement and the fear anymore.  It got to the point that I had to go and am now looking at complete restoration of my mouth beacause of the delay.  PLEASE do not wait. You would be surprised on how may people need sedatives prior to going to their dentist (me included) and it does help.  You might look into going to a dentist that uses state of the art equipement, which might help with the drilling aspect of the visit. Also, make sure that you pick a dentist that has been referred to you so that you know in advance their bedside manner, techniques, etc.  Anyway, good luck to you and remember that you are not alone  :-)

[Audrey577]

A related discussion, I have been experiencing being dizzy in the dental chair was started.