Dental anxiety; choosing a new dentist?

[KatyMac]

My existing dentist retired,it took from about 2002 to 2008 to stop needing valium to attend for having work done

They just transferred me to his replacement and after 2 appts I haven't really gelled with him plus I moved and it's now 2 hours away so really I should change practise

How on earth do I choose? Ideally Id like somewhere they do sedation on site as I have some fairly major stuff coming up

The CQC reports look much of a muchness as I don't 'read' them (the same way I can 'read' a nursery report for example)

And of course covid means I can't pop in and chat to get a feel for the place like I normally would

I have been recommended a large chain, a small chain, a practise and an independent and I am so anxious you wouldn't believe! (wanna take Valium just to ring up - but I won't)

Looking in or around Ipswich

[Orangeblossom77777]

I got a relative nearby to recommend one. It is private but does not overcharge and under 16s are free/NHS

I also got health insurance, it is cheap around ten pounds a month. It has been really worth it as I hate the dentists too.

there is a local site Next-door where people recommend stuff might be useful as well. good luck.

[Orangeblossom77777]

On the website they sometimes say about anxious patients, could be worth looking there too

[KatyMac]

Yes they mention anxious patients (all of them)

I am such a wuss

[Twinkie01]

We go to one at Stanway, just south of Colchester, I know it's a bit of a hike for you and it's private (not sure if that's what you're after) but he's amazing. I went from having white knuckles and shakes to actually enjoying going to the dentist if there is such a thing.

I swear he has magic hands and does this weird little flicking thing on the outside of your cheek whilst injecting the lidocaine so you've no idea he's actually doing anything. Everyone there is just so nice and kind and understanding, making you feel comfortable and relaxed from the minute you walk through the door.

[Orangeblossom77777]

It has made a difference to me too, I have anxiety from medical stuff in the past and used to dread the dentists. Now it is like going to a spa! they are like 'here is the garden room' and the radio and view makes a difference. It is well worth the insurance, which has been so helpful over lockdown too. I recommend it.

[KatyMac]

OK I have my phone ready to ring up and I am having a bit of a moment

I may have to build up to do it on Monday!

[Orangeblossom77777]

Good luck, it might really help you. In case it helps any this is the insurance I use

www.simplyhealth.co.uk/health-plans/plan-details/dental-plan?source=ppc&cid=9201&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2af-BRDzARIsAIVQUOfRCl2m_NmihYTER-7GTGL7Zq-k8EAUpEd-gPTQ2e9mwpyrppYDzxYaAvGPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[KatyMac]

Thanks something has gone horribly wrong and I now need a root canal, a deep filling and the root of a crowned tooth out so I can have a bridge

That is going to cost a pretty ebay and I dont reckon I'll be able to persuade anyone to do it all under sedation sadly

[Sensitivenamechange77777]

Maybe you could get some of that done on the NHS and start afresh with a private dentist with insurance, as you say it will cost a lot. Kind thoughts.

[KatyMac]

Thanks

I think i am better being honest paying for the lot under as few sedation as they will do

The temptation to just knock me out and get it done is really high

[Orangeblossom77777]

Ok well after that I really recommend getting insurance, it just paid out for me the full cost for emergency treatment and saved hundreds of pounds. Thing is it doesn't cover pre-existing problems so need to get in advance iyswim. It has made such a difference seeing a good dentists and using it so don;t have to worry about high costs. Kind thoughts.

[KatyMac]

I think you are right

[Orangeblossom77777]

Yes it does help, it makes such a difference having a good dentist and feeling secure. Good luck and well done facing it all.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

Personally I would google and read reviews. I recently changed my dentist as the NHS one i was under said he could not extract a tooth. Personally I think it was an excuse. I went private. I was told sedation waiting list was 9 month. I have anxiety due to a case of bad dentistry in the past that left me only able to eat liquids for two month and serious infection which I needed hospitaltreatment for. To cut a long story short I had wisdom teeth removed along with another tooth with an injection only. You may have a problem even if your private getting a sedation. However change your dentist not all are bad. Private dentists don't cost much more but there is by far a better level of care.

[KatyMac]

I have made an appointment - I cried and then had an anxiety attack with palpitations and a cold sweat!

I need to get a grip

[Orangeblossom77777]

It will be OK

[SlightDelay]

Private practice with great reviews.

[boredinthouse]

OP you have my sympathy. I have a terrible dental phobia. I was with my childhood dentist until he retired and then I just went with whoever was local to where I lived. It was awful and I dreaded (and cancelled) each appointment. I've finally been able to afford a private dentist and honestly it's made so much difference. I have the same dentist abs hygienist each time and I've had a good chat with both about what I am scared of and how I can manage. I've got some work coming up and they're going to split it into two or maybe four appointments so that I'll cope better. It makes all the difference. I'm still scared, it hasn't gone away, I shake so much that I can't sometimes put my card in the card reader 😳 but I can now actually go abs get the work done. I hope that you find a dentist that you can work on your anxiety with together.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

@KatyMac

I have made an appointment - I cried and then had an anxiety attack with palpitations and a cold sweat!

I need to get a grip

It will be OK discuss your issues with the dentist. I downloaded a playsuit and took headphones in when I had two teeth removed. I was barely on the third song and they were removed. I never felt a thing. Normally I'm sedated. I was just injected this time. Dentists are prepared for anxious patients. Go private is my advice. Its the first time I've had teeth removed without sedation and the first time I've never had an infection either.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

*playlist not playsuit lol.

[KatyMac]

In an interesting development the dentist who replaced my retired dentist has 'left the practice' for personal reasons and won't be back.....

So maybe it wasn't me?

[KatyMac]

On my way to the new dentist now

[Lalalatte]

Not sure they are allowed to do sedation anymore.

[KatyMac]

Yep booked in for sedation for a huge filling, possible 1-3 implants and we will see after that

[Orangeblossom77777]

Best of luck, you'll be fine