Dental check up - is it reasonable to expect that they won’t hurt every time?

[Yetmoretraining]

OK, so once again I’ve left the dentist almost in tears today. I should say that I know I am fortunate to have an NHS Dentist but I’m swiftly getting more phobic each time I go.

i had the same dentist for many years who was great and I always felt safe with him and very rarely experienced any pain. However he retired and sold the practice and while the practice is now bigger, I’ve been a bit nervous from the start as I’d obviously built up trust with the old dentist.

Anyway, I seem to be allocated the same dentist every time I have a check up (not sure if this is how it works or if I can request another?). I’ve tried to relax but today he made me jump a foot in the air with pain when he prodded my gums with one of the sharp tools they use. He seemed a bit cross that I hadn’t just raised my hand to indicate discomfort and I had to point out my reaction was completely involuntary as he’d hurt me. I do have some sensitivity in my gums and feet from time to time but in general my dental health is fairly decent.

I just don’t know what to expect now and if I can ask to be an allocated another dentist. I consider myself to have a fairly high threshold for pain based on how I have been with other health procedures but I can’t cope with seeing him any more.

I feel a bit pathetic about this issue as I’m in my late 50s and whilst I’ve always hated going to the dentist, I’ve just got on with it. Would it be reasonable for me to speak to the practice as ask to see someone else?

Im nhs ….I always get the same dentist…that’s how it works….it’s not like going to the gp

I have a fabulous dentist, NHS. He's very patient and takes time, always checking in with me throughout any procedure to check I'm not in pain, I'm OK etc. In the past, I've had a couple of dentist who unfortunately have been complete opposite and left me with a lot of anxiety. There are some that are far better than and more sympathetic than others, so do consider changing, you can request it at the practice.

My dentist is wonderful and NHS. I'd always expect a bit of pain but he would have said sorry if that had happened!

He never hurts me either. The worst bit is the cold sensation.

I had a few sadistic dentist in the last who seemed to enjoy inflicting pain 1Back int the 90s

Thank you, that’s made me feel better about emailing the practice tomorrow to ask about moving to another dentist. The thing is, they make such a song and dance on their website about supporting nervous patients, I think some feedback would be worth doing anyway!

They are supposed to prod your gums, it's to check for bleeding and to measure any receding. You need to be having a conversation with the dentist before the examination starts.
The dentist you have been seeing could just be a bit cack-handed with it. I left NHS dental care years ago because I was fed up with not being listened to by my dentist and I ended up a quivering wreck in the chair while he tried for the millionth time to drill with the anaesthetic not having worked. Be prepared that you may not be able to have a different dentist and then you've got a decision to make.

For you to change nhs dentist would mean someone else would need to change from another dentist and come on this persons books….it wouldn’t be fair to expect another dentist to just take on extras when they already have a full caseload……don’t be surprised if it’s a no no

Why are you going? Do you have a lot of problems with your teeth?

No, it’s just the standard check up that they insist you attend otherwise you’ll be chucked off their NHS list!

My dentist never hurts. I have sensitive teeth tooth and I had another one who used to blast air at my teeth. He was explaining about enamel wear and causing sensitivity and as he was speaking he would illustrate his point by blasting one of my sensitive teeth with air several times.

I never went back to him after that. He was actually a friend of dhs too so it was always abit awkward when I would see him as he would ask when I was coming back. I think some can be abit sadistic to be honest.

my current one I take 3 kids too and he doesn’t hurt them either. They have no fear of the dentist which is great. When I say we are going for a checkup they just say ok and get in the car. No issues.

Have you had a chat with the dentist to let them know that you are nervous, have sensitive teeth, sensitive to pain etc? I would always do this with a new dentist and briefly at each appointment as a reminder.

If after this they seem insensitive to you then it's worth asking the practice if they can change your actual dentist.

I always take a painkiller (sometimes both paracetamol and ibuprofen together) before going to the dentist as, yes, those metal sticks poked into your gums hurts! (I have receding gums and all sorts wrong).