May 29, 2015

Why I Feat the Dentist



Fear of the dentist is a real thing. Many people get extreme anxiety when even thinking of visiting the dentists -- WebMD.com says "...serious anxiety prevents millions of Americans from seeking proper preventative care." When I was a kid, a dentist failed to give me enough Novocaine and I ended up getting a cavity filled and wasn't numb. That was a devastating incident! I can see why there is anxiety, many people get nervous about the pain, however that is not why I suffer from dentophobia.

I would take the experience of having a tooth pulled without Novocaine (which did happen to me), the terrifying sound of the drill and the scraping sounds of removing tartar over what seems to happen to me every time I go to the dentist. 

What is it that I fear about the dentist? The up-sale!! You know the one... "Oh we see that you have a cavity, your insurance only covers amalgam, BUT we don't trust amalgam and so you should get composite." Or, "Your teeth are looking pretty yellow. Are you interested in getting them whitened?" All while my mouth is open and they are standing over me. It's very intimidating. I mean what am I supposed to say? Of course I want the product you recommend - yes I want white teeth. But I'm not sure that asking while I'm in the chair and feeling vulnerable is the appropriate thing. 

I can't imagine being at my doctor's office and while she's examining me, she says, "So you are overweight, and I really think you should take this shot that helps you lose weight. Oh it's not covered by insurance so you will have to pay out of pocket. You want it?  I'm not even sure that is allowed, but if it were, it would be weird.

I know that dentistry is a tough industry and that historically insurance companies haven't shown the value of the industry. There is very little financial support (i.e., proper insurance coverage to manage dental needs) for dentistry, but more importantly people do not realize how much your dentist can tell about your overall health from your mouth. 

For example, regular check up can identify digestive issues, heart disease and conditions like diabetes. By getting regular check ups you can help catch these aliments early and begin treatment to cure or manage them. Regular dental check ups should be as fundamental as annual physicals and regular contact with your primary care physician.

I would just feel better if it didn't feel like my dentist was a car salesman looking to push the under car protection. Patients in any situation feel vulnerable, even in the best case scenario. It's so important for practitioners to keep that in mind.