Are you a Dental Phobic?
Take the test to find out.
Find A Dentist Near You
Find A Dentist Near You Start Here

Marilyn Emes

Patient of Dr Richard Colebourne
Evesham Dental Health Team, 16 Broadway Road, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 1BG
Tel: 01386 422 833

http://www.eveshamdental.co.uk
FIND A DENTAL PHOBIA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL FIND A DENTAL PHOBIA
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL
Or Search
What was the reason for your dental phobia?
I remember one experience many years ago as a child, being told by the dentist to pull myself together or he wouldn’t do anything for me. The final bad experience that I had, at the age of 17, was when I had to have a wisdom tooth extracted. The dentist was not able to get me numb despite firing in injection after injection. Nothing seemed to numb the pain and in the end I pulled the drill out of my mouth. He warned me if I didn’t behave I would end up cutting my face open and this filled me with such fear that I’ve never really forgotten it.
What made you decide to take the first step in contacting a dentist?
After that awful experience I stopped going to the dentist, and even endured the pain of an abscess. I did lose that tooth in the end though but really I am so lucky that I still have the rest of my teeth despite avoiding the dentist for 20 years! It seemed that every time I would go to the dentist with a problem, it resulted in another bad experience or I would end up leaving just as the treatment was about to begin. I even tried having hypnotherapy. I would go along to the dentist, be hypnotised and about to undergo the treatment and I would realise it hadn’t worked and I’d go. I then came across sedation, a dentist I knew from school offered it at his practice so I went to see him. I also felt as though it was easier to speak to him more as I knew him. He had a GP that came into the surgery to administer the sedative but after a time he stopped offering the service due to a change in circumstances. I began looking for somewhere else that offered it and I came across an EDHT advertisement which said that they could help people like me.
What made you choose the dentist / clinic that you did?
I sent my husband along to try it first and find out all the information. He came back saying it was just the place for me so then I then came along and now you will have me forever more! It’s been an absolute godsend!
Describe your dental experience (from the initial contact, the first appointment, consultation and right through to the treatment including your feelings and anxieties throughout).
It has been incredible. Nobody gets cross with me for being jumpy – I am a challenge but everyone has been wonderful, even the hygienists. Last time I came they gave me something to numb my gums which really worked. It has made me feel a bit more confident and don’t sit there worrying. I am more relaxed and it seems to get easier each time I come – I used to be all of a quiver. I still don’t like it but I’ve got fabulous teeth now – they’re all white with no big black blobs anymore. It’s made such a difference, it’s good!
How did you manage to overcome your dental phobia?
I think it is a case of mind over matter. I simply just didn’t see myself wearing false teeth. I had a brace as a girl, one of the ones that fitted in the roof of my mouth, and I didn’t get on with it. So I decided that I had to do something if I wanted to keep my teeth. I can now smile and feel proud that they’re mine. I am so chuffed. I have also always tried not to pass my fear on to my daughter.
How do you currently feel about your dental phobia?
My phobia is still there but I now know that it’s something I can overcome. I am always surprised how quick it goes when I am sedated, I come around and realise it’s all over already. Without the sedation I could never do it.
Any other comments or words of advice to people out there who are suffering from dental phobia and are avoiding the dentist?
Come to EDHT or find somebody else who is patient enough to talk you through treatment and offer sedation. I thoroughly recommend sedation to anybody who’s got a phobia – they don’t need to be phobic with that available. I’m proof that it can be done – here I am at my age and I have lovely teeth. It is incredible to think that I went for 20 years without going to the dentist. If I had to EDHT sooner I would not have lost my tooth. The care is brilliant for which I am really thankful for. All the staff seem to love their jobs and they are all wonderful. Thank you to everybody.

More real patient stories

Pat Dunford

Patient of Dr Yasmin George (The Courtyard Clinic)

"I don’t even get anxious any more. I can’t say I have overcome my phobia – I get round it, with sedation"

Read full story

Linda

Patient of Dr Yasmin George (The Courtyard Clinic)

"Firstly I had to acknowledge that I had a problem, then look for the right help and be guided by Yasmin and her team if I had any ongoing concerns or worries"

Read full story

Olly Watts

Patient of Dr Kalpesh Bohara (The Dental Suite)

"After extensive research online and forum chats with professionals, including Dr. Kalpesh Bohara, I found the Dental Suite to be one of the leading practices dealing with nervous patients"

Read full story

Kate Howey

Patient of Dr Leila Johnson (Causeway Dental Practice)

"I went to the dentist at the age of about 9yrs to have a tooth removed and ended up being pinned down by my mother, the nurse and the dentist had my head trapped between his legs to keep me still. At that age all I could hear was the cracking of the tooth not actually any pain. This experience has made me nervous of the dentist"

Read full story

Jenny Hill

Patient of Dr David Rudin (The Arnold Dental Centre)

"My advice is not to avoid the dentist no matter how fearful you are. I felt stupid initially explaining how fearful I was of the dentist, but it was the best thing I have done! I would strongly advise speaking to your dentist and sharing your fears so they can help you through the process"

Read full story

Phil Martin

Patient of Dr Munther Sulieman (Merton Dental Centre)

"I managed to overcome my fear due to the fact that I know that Dr Sulieman has a good understanding of the root cause of my fear of visiting the dentist and actively takes steps to put my mind at rest and tailor my dental treatment to my need’s"

Read full story

Marilyn Emes

Patient of Dr Richard Colebourne (Evesham Dental Health Team)

"I think it is a case of mind over matter. I simply just didn’t see myself wearing false teeth. I had a brace as a girl, one of the ones that fitted in the roof of my mouth, and I didn’t get on with it. So I decided that I had to do something if I wanted to keep my teeth. I can now smile and feel proud that they’re mine. I am so chuffed. I have also always tried not to pass my fear on to my daughter"

Read full story

Rachel

Patient of Dr John Mantel (32 Whites Dental Care)

"I realised that if I can do something once, I can do it again. I made it through the first visit, and so there was nothing to worry about. I could do it again"

Read full story

Suzy Masser

Patient of Dr Richard Colebourne (Evesham Dental Health Team)

"I have all my treatment with the dentist through IV sedation. I’ve come a long way – I now have confidence and I am reassured because I have built up trust with Richard and the team"

Read full story

Carol Breedon

Patient of Dr Steve Larcombe (St. Lawrence House Dental Practice)

"My phobia is exactly as before, except, I will go straight away to Lee and Steve because I believe and trust them"

Read full story

Ian Moffat

Patient of Dr Kal Patel (Fareham Road Dental Surgery)

"I would be lying if I said I am 100% over my phobia, but I am at point where I can sit in the waiting room and look around and see I’m not most nervous person in the room anymore. I am at the point where I almost look forward to going as I know it is for my benefit and instead of being hurt for nothing, I am going in there to improve myself and show off how well I’ve done and the hard work Kal has put in is paying off"

Read full story

Natalie Holton

Patient of Dr Claire Wilkinson (The Courtyard Clinic)

"I am still overcoming it now however, with the help of a great team of people, understanding, and working out what’s good for you, my salvation was music I let my mind run away with the music instead of letting the mind chatter take over, I’m not saying it goes completely however with each visit the mind chatter gets less and less"

Read full story

Brenda Davey

Patient of Dr Anoop Maini (Aqua Dental Spa)

"Don’t avoid the dentist! I happily sailed through without dental care until my fifties – and then I was hit by some very serious problems, which could have been prevented earlier"

Read full story

Sharon Payne

Patient of Dr Claire Wilkinson (The Courtyard Clinic)

“With encouragement from Claire and the team, the tablets that calm me down enough to get in the chair. I listen to music so I cant hear what they say and close my eyes. Mad but it gets me through it!!!”

Read full story

Feel nervous?
Let us help you.

Find A Dentist Near You
Copyright 2024 Dental Phobia | GDC | Last updated: April 2024 Website design by The Fresh