To think that this isn't normal for a trip to the dentist, is it?

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

Have namechanged as I've told a couple of friends about this today and don't want to be identified.

I had a phobia of going to the dentist for many years. About 3 years ago I finally plucked up the courage to go again. I go to an NHS dentist and had first one lovely dentist then a second one when they left, both of whom did a range of work on my teeth; fillings, composite layers and root canal, none of which had any problems and I really started to get over my phobia and started to feel at ease with going to the dentist.

A few months ago my normal lovely dentist left and I had a check up about a month ago with a new dentist at the surgery. I found her a bit abrupt but ok. She decided I needed 2 fillings and so I went today to have those done.

She started drilling at a tooth and cleaning it out with a spray, but there was no suction used by the dental nurse, whilst my other 2 dentists have always used suction to get rid of the excess water. It was like someone was running a hose pipe into my mouth and my mouth was wide open so I couldnt' really swallow easily and it started to make me feel panicky. I had to keep spitting the water out and it was making me gag and the dentist started to get very irate with me. I was apologetic and said that I am sorry, I used to be a dental phobic and that this was making me feel quite upset and scared, and could she use the suction as it was like having a hose pipe running into my mouth. She said "This is the way ALL dentists do this, it's very unusual to feel the way YOU do" and carried on. I felt like I was going to be sick, there was literally water everywhere, it was splashing out of my mouth the flow was so much and in the end she reluctantly drilled with no rinsing but she was very huffy and puffy whilst she did it. I asked again after the treatment why she didn't use the suction and again she got very annoyed, so I said "Ok well I will mention it to the practice manager, thank you anyway" cheerfully and went out.

I mentioned it at reception and the receptionist said the suction should have been used, and I said I've had so many treatments there, even root canal, and was absolutely fine, and for this to happen over a small filling seems a bit ridiculous and I feel as though it's set my phobia back a bit too. The practice manager is going to phone me on monday. The receptionist said the dentist is a locum dentist and will only be there for several months but that they will change me to another dentist if I wish for my next check up in 6 months or so.

It is normal for a dentist to use the suction when they're rinsing isn't it? She made me feel like I was being a bit of a wimp but it was awful, all this water, I couldn't possibly swallow it all. My throat actually feels a bit sore from swallowing some as it was at such a force.

[WorraLiberty]

Sounds weird!

The Dental Nurse always holds the suction pipe for the Dentist at my surgery

[missmiss]

I've always had suction for any dental work beyond a check up, even with dentists I didn't think were very good. It sounds as though she was really rude to you! I hope the manager calls back - try not to let it affect you too badly, it's great that you had the courage to go at all if you're phobic!

[mistressploppy]

Sounds a bit weird to me - my dentist uses suction all the time, just to get the saliva out the way etc

Add that to the way she spoke to you and I'd be making a bit of a fuss, actually

[scrablet]

Sorry you had such a bad time, esp as you find dentist hard anyway.
FWIW my dentist ALWAYS uses suction, sometimes to much as a dry throat makes me gag. You did the right thing mentioning it, hope your throat feels better.

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

Thank you everyone. The practice manager is going to phone me back on Monday so I will make it clear the dentist's behaviour and attitude wasn't acceptable and that I want suction used at all times from now on if I have a filling.

[scrablet]

too

[TattyDevine]

Never not had suction. What a bizzare experience. I would have been freaking out too and I'm well 'ard like.

YANBU

[yellowraincoat]

How weird, she sounds horrible and yes, I've always had suction.

[WorraLiberty]

Did she have a Dental Nurse with her?

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

I don't really know what to say to the practice manager when she phones me; do I say that I want suction at every treatment in future? Or do I make an official complaint about the dentist?

I said about how good my old dentist was and the receptionist said "yes he was very gentle so it probably would have been more pleasant treatment with him" and I said "yes but the gentle-ness of the dentist has nothing to do with the flow of the water or whether they use suction or not".

[TheCuntwormUnderfoot]

Don't just say that, be perfectly polite and nice but say to the practice manager that you want to put in a formal complaint. They'll be obliged to help you do that. Detail the problem you had with the treatment and also the unhelpful attitude of the dentist and mention your phobia. The result will be that the extremely incompetent person you saw will be given the opportunity for retraining, maybe in her 'bedside manner' as well as on a few basic facts such as yes, other dentists use suction. It will be useful feedback for the practice too.

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

She did worra yes, but the dental nurse was even more sour-faced than the dentist and didn't say a word the whole time. She seemed very young, perhaps she didn't dare argue with the dentist

[LillianGish]

Well done for conquering your phobia. Stand your ground and don't let this set you back.

[TheCuntwormUnderfoot]

Should have said 'mention the effect on your phobia.'

No you shouldn't have to ASK for suction, like it's an option! - the point is that the dentist was utterly in the wrong and handled the situation BADLY - the best outcome would be to complain in order to help her improve. It may sound a bit OTT but as long as you speak to the PM politely and say that you want to complain in the interests of improving their situation with locums and to give feedback, they will be PLEASED to know this stuff!

'Pleasant treatment' - hmm, I think I'd be making a point of the fact that you think the way the dentist handled your request was INAPPROPRIATE and UNPROFESSIONAL (the two magic words). Being reassuring and nice to a patient and helping where you can to make them feel at ease isn't an option, it's a basic part of the job. She failed to do her job properly on you, that's the bottom line.

[SparkyTGD]

Think its probably more the 'attitude' that you commented that you were uncomfortable & she didn't do anything about it.

I once used dentist who's attitude was poor then switched to another & it made such a difference. (Have been a bit dental-phobic in the past too).

[nickelhasababy]

yes, Suction should be used in everything (excapt a check up if you don't have excess saliva) - this is so that the water/spit doesn't go down your throat, and so you don't gag or choke (especially with drilling because it can be bits of tooth and filling too!)
I'm shocked that that dentist didn't use it.
I'm glad you mentioned it to the reception, and that they will offer you a different dentist next time.

sorry it's set your phobia back - she was very unprofessional, especially belittling your fear like that.

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

Thanks again everyone. I will be polite but assertive and definitely will use the two key words you suggested, TheCuntworm.

I feel so proud of myself for overcoming my phobia and I'm so determined not to let her ruin what I've achieved, but others might not be as strong so I guess, as some of you have said, she needs re-training in how to treat patients properly.

[EnjoyResponsibly]

I am totally dental phobic. DH has to take DS so that I don't pass this onto him.

I'm a wreck during a routine clean and have always found dentists and nurses really sympathetic and understanding.

At no time that I can recall have a ever had water in my mouth without suction.

Document what happened today in bullet form so you have your points all clear for the call with the practice manager. If you don't this person will perpetuate bad practice, perhaps the next victim patient will be a child

[UltimateDentalPhobic]

nickel there was much rolling of eyes from her and tutting and making out I was the most awkward person she'd ever dealt with. I was so polite and said I was sorry but that it was horrible and was making me feel panicky and she was just so stroppy about it. She kept saying "I can't give this hole a PROPER clean without the water but she doesn't want it" to the nurse.

[nickelhasababy]

I would have killed her.
Of course she needs to use water, but she also needs to suck out the excess so that you don't choke on it.
What a stupid bitch.
And she certainly shouldn't have made you feel worse by being horrible to you.
I hope your complaint is dealt with properly by the practice manager.

[hedwig2001]

I asked my dentist if we could do without the water, as the cold hurts my teeth. She said drilling creates heat. Without cold water, the heat can kill the tooth.
Yadnbu. Drilling needs cold water, water requires suction. Definately complain.

[Sparklingbrook]

Time for a new dentist. I have always had the suction. It sticks to my tongue.

[Smellslikecatspee]

Hi, I too am a total dental phobic, and also recently made the decision to put on my big girls pants and get my awful teeth sorted.

The reason for my phobia is twofold one of the reasons is that I actually have a small mouth (my best friend/mother/Oh all nearly wet themselves when I told them that. . . )

But my issues are slightly different to yours

Anyway when the dentist tools , the water and the suction are all in my mouth I feel like retching/coughing/suffocating and the last time I asked my lovely lovely Dentist & Dental Nurse if I could not have the suction, as the water doesn?t bother me too much.

She explained that without the suction the area would fill too quickly, she wouldn?t have a clear view so couldn?t see what she was doing safely and as the area would be so ?wet? there was a risk if drill slippage.

Now she could have been telling me a load of shit but it did make logical sense to me. So we sat and planned a way around this. That is when I started to feel panicky I would tap the dental nurse on the arm and she would call stop. And it worked, just knowing that I had some control back helped hugely.

So in other words you were told crap if you believe my dentist, and even if she was talking crap the general attitude of your dentist was shit. Its lack of empathy and attitudes like that which create dental phobics