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We know how daunting dental treatment can be. Our Dental Phobia certified experts are here to help ease your mind before treatment by answering your questions.

How can I get my husband to the dentist?

Hello Doctor,
I really need some help to get my husband to visit the dentist. He is in a lot of pain and only recently did I realise just how many painkillers he has been taking each day. I was shocked as he hides the pain as much as possible from me.
He has a severe phobia of going to the dentist as he has panic attacks when they put things into his mouth and he feels like he can’t breathe. He refuses to go to any appointment that i make him and will not discuss the matter further with me. I am at my wits end as he is always in a bad mood and irritated with the pain. Is there any thing you could suggest that i do to make him see a dentist?

I am so sorry to hear about your husbands problems and fears . As you say it is dangerous for him to constantly take painkillers .

Intravenous Dental sedation would probably be the best approach for him since it will relax him by calming down his fears , he will feel sleepy and he will have very little memory of the procedure .

It would be good to fund a clinic that is experienced in nervous patients , the first step is for him to just have a chat with them without any treatment so that he meets the team , and his able to fully express his concerns in an open environment and is talked through the options available to him to help him get to the treatment in a manner that he can accept .

Answer provided by: Dr Jennifer Pinder Retired
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