Anyone with a fear of dentists had to be with their DCs while they have a tooth removed?

[TattiePants]

I really don't like going to the dentist (I'm sure lots of people feel the same) and I'm sure it stems from a really horrible family dentist that we had in the 70s/80s who terrified the life out of me! I'm getting better at sticking to my 6 month check ups but I did have times when I would avoid going. The DCs have regular check ups and I've always been fine taking them and they have no idea how I feel.

They've had a recent check up and it's likely that DD (11) will need one tooth removed and DS (15) will need two, or more. DH has no dentist phobia and would take them but I know the DCs will want me to go, especially DS as he has SEN. Has anyone had to keep themselves calm and not let their DCs know how much they are freaking out whilst being supportive of their DCs?

Bumping in the hope that someone has some advice.

Yes! I have had two teeth out myself in the last few years. Ds has v complex teething problems so I accompanied him to hospital when he had some removed.
Is your dentist aware of your fear? Be very honest with them. Once they know, I think they will make sure the experience is better for you both.
Good luck!

You’ll have to be brave! Just try not to use any negatives such as, it won’t hurt, don’t worry etc… a good dentist should be able to keep your kids calm. Or stay at the other end of the room and say absolutely nothing.
Or make an excuse to the dcs that you are busy and let DH go!

My dd was 11 when she needed a cracked tooth removed, she was in pain and she bravely opted to have it removed after numbing injection instead of waiting for referral for sedation/gas. I have no fear of the dentist and even I found it awful been there, it was brutal. Dd has said if she never needs a tooth out again she wants sedation/knocking out. So my advice would be don’t be there if you already fear the dentist because you will likely be put off for life.

I have a new dentist, although she's part of the practice I've been with for years, and she removed a problem wisdom tooth last year. She knows I'm nervous and was amazing and very calming. We have to go back in 3 months for another check up so if she decides DD's tooth needs to come out I might hang back and speak to her.

Yes! I averted my eyes and focussed on a dull object. Dentists seem so proud of their work and like to show what they’ve done. I used to look in the right direction but into distance past child’s ear.

@Unprecedentedusername that's a good plan. Thinking about it logically, the sound is a big factor in my hate for being at the dentist so I guess witnessing a tooth removal is better than a filling!

My kids are teens and I still hate taking them to the dentist! You just have to suck it up I'm afraid, and be glad it's not you in the chair! Years ago I had to ask a dentist to stop treating my DS because she'd injected and abscess and was trying to pull a tooth which didn't want to come out and she was yanking DS round in the chair! When I got back to my mum's I looked so bad they thought we'd had an accident or something. I hate the dentist, I'm glad that my kids have got better teeth than me and I really try not to cloud their experience by letting them know how hard I find it.