Expert answers
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.
Should I tell my new dentist about my dental phobia?
Hi I have really bad dental phobia and haven’t been to the dentist for years. My old dentist just use to give me happy gas and never try and help me over come my fear. I suffer from anxiety attacks already and Iam scared going to the dentist will put me in one. I do need to go to the dentist as my teeth are hurting me :( should i try to tell the dentist how i feel before i go?
It would help if you looked for a dentist who had a special interest in treating phobic patients.
But you should definitely tell a dentist about your fears and also about things like anxiety attacks you have .It will help you and help the dentist understand you as a person .
Its still possible to have ‘happy gas ‘even as an adult to help you have treatment , and that can sometimes be helpful to get you started with facing your fears .
If you take one step at a time and just go for a consultation without having anything other than X rays at the first visit , you will probably be able to avoid a full blown anxiety attack . Then find out what you need , and plan how to approach it with the dentist
