NC for this as I’m so embarrassed
My teeth are a mess. Like, really embarrassing. This combined with a very severe dental phobia has prevented me from seeing a dentist for 8 years.
When I lived in London, I broke a molar and it really hurt. A friend recommended a dentist who was really good with her phobia so I went. I threw up in the waiting room due to the absolute terror. I can’t explain it. The amazing dentist didn’t even make me sit in the chair. She referred me to the hospital where I had everything including cleaning done under IV sedation. It was absolutely miraculous.
Shortly afterwards due to health issues I had to leave my job and move away from London. Over the next couple of years, the molar repair broke, then another molar on the other side broke too. I’ve also got three impacted wisdom teeth which sporadically cause pain.
I’ve asked everyone I know if they can recommend a kind dentist - not one recommendation. Scoured the Internet for dentists who take on nervous patients but can only find private ones that do this. They go out of their way, will even meet you off site... but I can’t afford private dental treatment.
Locally it seems only private dentists offer sedation. And it’s hundreds of pounds just for the sedation alone, before the cost of treatment.
I am having awful pain that comes and goes, and both sides / broken molars are effected. The spells of pain last anywhere from a couple of hours to three days (when I think one of my wisdom teeth was on the move). The other night the pain woke me up and was excruciating for a few hours then there was bleeding from one of my broken teeth, then the pain went. I suspect I had an abscess that burst 
The pain is bad enough but I also know how dangerous this can be. The fact that I’ve been putting up with this for so long knowing all this should tell you how bad my phobia is. I start panicking and crying at just the thought of calling a dentist. I’m crying just typing this.
Ive found that there is a community dental service for adults with additional needs and, in some cases, severe dental phobia. You’re supposed to be referred by a dentist but that means seeing a dentist and what if they refuse to refer me?
It does say on their website:
“If you are not registered with a dentist and you feel you have a physical, medical or mental condition that is creating a barrier to your accessing adequate dental care, then please contact our Single Point of Access” then a phone number
I am worried though that they’ll just tell me to piss off as I don’t have any diagnosed mental health condition or anything. The anxiety about having to explain what a pathetic wimp I am is stopping me from making the call.
I was thinking, if I saw one of the private dentists who specialise in nervous patients, would they refer to something like this? Or just say no because they could do sedation?
I know you probably think I’m absolutely pathetic, and stupid, and disgusting for letting things get this bad. I know, I really do. Ironically I’m quite brave about a lot of things but when it comes to needles and especially dental treatment, I am absolutely unable to be rational. I had a really traumatic medical experience involving very large needles three years ago and since then it has been even worse.
Please help me make this call. I don’t know what to do. I know I need to sort it before I end up losing my jaw or getting sepsis or something, just because I’m too scared to see a dentist. How fucking stupid. I know it is.