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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate lying completely flat at the dentist?

71 replies

partystress · 31/10/2013 16:13

I have never had a dentist phobia before but am getting v stressed by new dentist. She is a bit abrupt and bossy, but I am beginning to think it's more the fact she tips me right back in the chair - my feet end up higher than my head. I feel like I am gagging before she even gets going, and then the dental nurse keeps bumping the roof of my mouth with the sucky thing which makes me feel even gaggier Sad.

AIBU because this is the modern way, or should I find a new dentist?

OP posts:
Amy106 · 31/10/2013 16:40

I would find a new dentist. I am sure you can find one that isn't bossy and abrupt. My dentist is quite relaxed and friendly and takes the time to explain things calmly. My feet end up about level with my feet and it is a comfortable position to be in. There are better options for you out there. try to find one that specialized in dental phobia. Good luck....just keep breathing...Smile

Original poster
partystress · 31/10/2013 16:57

Thank you Amy. Good idea - will try to find a dental phobia one to nip the phobia in the bud!

OP posts:
thebody · 31/10/2013 16:59

definatly shop around. you are the customer.

oscarwilde · 31/10/2013 17:01

If you were pregnant you couldn't lie that flat never mind with your feet higher than your head. Yuk.

Just insist - its probably because your dentist is short, or trying to save her own back or something.

Gag lots - it will get the message across very effectively, no-one wants sick on their shoes. Grin You can hold the sucky thing yourself too which is much easier.

gamerchick · 31/10/2013 17:01

I detest the chairs... I much preferred it when you were sitting up. Lying down while people faff on in my mouth makes me feel physically ill.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 31/10/2013 17:03

I always say now if anything bothers me - if thet insist on it vote with your feet (and wallet).

magimedi · 31/10/2013 17:17

partystress If you live in East Sussex I can recommend the most amazing dentist - she specialises in dental phobics.

Original poster
partystress · 31/10/2013 17:19

gamerchick do you think it is the new way then, rather than just my dentist's sadistic approach? I find my heart racing and feel sick and that's before any injecting or drilling starts. But have just googled and found two practices near me who mention anxious patients as a speciality, so I think I think I will ask directly whether I could have a say in my degree of horizontality!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 31/10/2013 18:50

I noticed it when I moved to a new practise about 8 years ago to a clinic from my small place. You can ask if you can stay upright.. I can't see why they would object. I only asked when I was heavily pregnant or I would pass out I said.

It's worth asking.. there's nothing fun about hanging upside down (or how it seems) I feel stressed just thinking about it.

getdownshep · 31/10/2013 19:29

My dentist has the chair like this, my head is practically in her lap.
When I had a root canal treatment done, I nearly passed out when I finally sat up as I had been in that position for over 45 minutes.
I now have a dental phobia which I didn't have before.
My dentist is also a bit abrupt but I can't find another nhs dentist in my area.

Mrsmorton · 01/11/2013 10:25

I'm a dentist and one of the top reasons for early retirement is back problems. It's really important that we can have the chair in a position where we don't have to bend or crane to see you/what we're doing. Remember, we do this at least 9-5 most days of the year.

It is very hard to treat people sitting up, the odd patient who really can't lay flat (pregnant, obese, phobic etc) is doable but it's really very painful.

OP have you asked your dentist if you can change your position at all?

For all those who've mentioned the long time you've spent laying down for root canal treatment etc, remember the quicker and easier (and sitting up option) is an extraction.

Mrsmorton · 01/11/2013 10:26

Oh, and sadistic? Hmm I think you need to have a word with yourself. That's an incredibly rude thing to say.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 01/11/2013 10:37

My DH is a dentist and 6foot6 so really can suffer from terrible back problems

I'm sure he would echo everything Mrs Morton says to the extent that he takes his own chair to sit in to each of the two practices he works at and goes nuts isn't terribly happy if it's settings get fiddled with.

That said, if you're uncomfortable I think it's fair enough to say but please do think of their backs.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 01/11/2013 10:38

its not it's

thegreylady · 01/11/2013 10:53

My dentist lets me have my headslightly raised as I have asthma and panic if I am flat. It doesn't seem to be a problem at all. The hygienist is the same. I'd change your dentist.

Dancergirl · 01/11/2013 11:34

Find another dentist!

My dd has dental phobia and I've come to realise with this that no-one should made to do anything they're uncomfortable with. And she shouldn't be abrupt and bossy, 'bedside manner' is so important.

Really, don't put up with it, there are better dentists out there. Have a look at the dental fear central forum, you'll find recommendations for really good, patient dentists.

gamerchick · 01/11/2013 11:36

So in other words.. go to the dentist.. shell out a wedge of cash to feel panicky and anxious with a bit of physically ill thrown in. To save their backs?

You should get a choice if it is stressful.

But I'm not a dentist so I'm not going to be able to see that point. But I'm sure a dentist should be able to see the point of a patient?

Dancergirl · 01/11/2013 11:38

For all those who've mentioned the long time you've spent laying down for root canal treatment etc, remember the quicker and easier (and sitting up option) is an extraction

I'm glad you're not my dentist. Why on earth would you have a tooth removed when it can be repaired?

I'd be wary of a dentist who puts their own needs before their patient's.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 01/11/2013 12:24

I can't speak for mrsmorton but I was just explaining why the chair has to be the way it is

As I said in my post, you (as the patient) should say however if you don't like it/feel panicky though.

Bearing in mind the fact that DH deals with the nervous patients in one of his practices, there is obviously ways to coax nervous patients into the chair and get them in a position that is workable for everyone.

Not quite sure how that's unreasonable

Original poster
partystress · 01/11/2013 12:24

Thank you dancergirl and gamerchick - I was starting to have a word with myself, and then I remembered I had had my tongue in my cheek (rather than dangling down the back of my throat gagging me!!) when I used the word sadistic. Of course I don't think my dentist is a sadist Mrs Morton, but I do expect professionals I deal with to make some efforts to accommodate me, rather than it all being to suit them. It is interesting that some of us here remember it not at all being common practice to lie flat, and so I don't think we are BU to question whether it is universal.

OP posts:
Mrsmorton · 01/11/2013 12:34

What did your dentist say when you asked her if she could adjust the chair?

Original poster
partystress · 01/11/2013 12:49

The one time I braved it, she laughed and said, "It won't be long now". She prefaces everything with a laugh, which I think is just a tic, but when I am feeling stressed (which, I repeat, is not something I ever experienced at the dentist before moving to this practice), it is hard to empathise with her lack of social confidence and not see it as dismissive.

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 01/11/2013 12:59

For some people being in the dentist's chair makes them feel very vulnerable. A good dentist will understand this and do everything possible to put them at ease and in complete control. Having a bad experience can impact how you feel about the dentist in later life, therefore it's very important to find a dentist you feel comfortable with.

mrsmorton a nervous or frightened patient won't be thinking about your back. If you can't put your patient's needs first, there are plenty of other dentists who do and will.

LookingThroughTheFog · 01/11/2013 13:02

Oh, Partystress! Huge sympathies! I hate this too. Both my current and my previous dentist like to hang me up by my feet (or that's what it feels like to me), so I'm feeling dizzy and disoriented before they even begin. I hate it.

Mrsmorton · 01/11/2013 13:15

dancer I'm not talking about holding patients to ransom over whether they can lay flat or not, I'm simply saying that it's not something we do just for fun. It is a key requirement of registration with the GDC that we put out patient's needs before our own. What I won't do is shorten my career over it though. If a patient says "I struggle to lay flat, can you sit me up a little please" then I will do everything I can to accommodate; otherwise they will be in the position I need them in.

OP, if she dismissed it like that then I would try to speak to the receptionist or the practice manager and explain how it's affecting you. If you are generally happy with her then i would suggest that you could try again to rectify the problem and if no joy, then think about moving.

It didn't used to be common practice to change needles for every patient, times change, techniques and training change. Every dentist is different as is every patient.