I haven't ever been bothered, had surgery to remove teeth, filling, x-rays, mold things for braces (was going to have a head brace).

The only time I was a tad nervous was when I had my first filling a few years back. As a kid I used to love going and getting a sticker at the end!

I've had plenty of orthodontic work done (first brace at around age 8, until I was 1, teeth taken out etc, but still hate the dentist

When I was 4 ,I was taken "the clinic",my mum told me that theyd got me a lovely walkie talkie doll-which is what I was desperate to have-she told me just to push the door as someone had it in that room

I was so excited and did what she said.Can remember the smell hitting me -never smelt anything like it -looked round-no doll-just some people in white coats ,one holding what seemed like a HUGE mask.I was lifted into the chair and the mask went on my face,I can remember the feel and the smell of it and trying in vain to struggle out of the chair.

I can remember all this as if it were yesterday and Im almost 65 now!!!!!even typing this has made me feel nauseous.


Sorry for the long post,but I feel better having shared this memory ,as it played such a big part in my life as I grew up-thank you for reading it

I then never went to the dentist for years,eventually I needed treatment and I was so PETRIFIED.
We found a dentist recommended by someone and I made my O.H go there and explain how I felt.

A few days later I had my appointment ,not to have anything done ,not even a check up- just a chat
.
.Going through the door I just felt like I was 4 again.O.H had to come with me and sit at the side of me-felt very embarrassed but couldnt do it on my own.

Anyway I told the dentist that I couldnt sit in THE CHAIR and he just sat and talked to me for about half an hour.

My next appointment was for a filling
I went in sat in THE CHAIR -knuckles white and fists clenched,legs shaking up and down and a feeling like I was going to wet myself!

The dentist started talking to me very quietly and I relaxed a bit to the point where i was able to say that he could give me the needle -he said "ive already done that"-I didnt think that was very funny and told him just to do it -but he was right -he HAD already done it
Just that took away most,not all, of my memories from what had happened when I was 4.

He later moved to a surgery about 15 miles away and I travelled there for checkups and treatment

(When my daughter was about 9 -in the days when I never went to the denist -I took her to a dentist for treatment.Whether she picked up on my feelings of terror I dont know-I tried so hard to be all calm and matter of fact.But she refused to get in the chair.She stood in a corner and refused to budge.I didnt know what to do -just getting us both through the door was a major trauma for me
The dentist was very annoyed amd told me to pick her up!!!!
That of course didnt work and he ended up telling me that I may as well go as I was wasting his time-I could come back if I was able to control my daughter!!!
So my heart goes out to anyone with a fear of dentists-but ,given the right dentist a phobia can be overcome,or at least lessened.
(By the way I DID get the walkie talkie doll at Christmas ,but somehow it was disappinting-it only brought back memories of THE CHAIR)
Good luck Sue tomorrow
from Maureen

P.S The doll idea,I later found out from m ymum wasnt her idea,but that of my Auntie Maggie,a real battle axe ,who told my mum and dad to stand no messing.After I came home from the dentist I was quite ill ,so my mum sent for Auntie Maggie and she came with a Beechams Powder which she gave me -dry -she pinched my nose ,opened my mouth and down it went.
Needless to say she was never a favourite auntie !

Mine does!! It has a slideshow of fantastic, calming, scenery, without music, coz the dentist and his nurse are always bouncing off each other making wise cracks and it's so hard to laugh when he's filled your mouth with a hoover, a water canon, and his fingers lol!

I have had some really awful experiences in that chair, I won't tell you about my worst one but 15 years ago, I found the most fantastic dentist that I seem to be there quite a lot now, at least 4 times a year, just for a clean up and check up, coz they do make me feel so relaxed and make me laugh. There's some horrendous ones about, I've met a few of them, but thankfully, this bloke will still be around for all the time I need him coz he isn't even middle aged yet and I've known him a few years. I really hope the one you've found is as good as the one I have, and please don't chicken out before that appointment, it'll be sooooo worth it once you've taken the plunge, honest!

My goodness Maureen that is truly horrendous - people can be so wicked and have no idea of the long term effects. Thank goodness you eventually found a Dentist who treated you as a human being.

I don't think a minute has passed today without the though of the dentist tomorrow flashes through my mind but it didn't stop me sleeping last night - not a lot does

Thanks Helena. I am definitely not going to chicken out (hopefully) It is a lady dentist I am seeing who specialises in nervous patients and they have won awards for excellent patient care so hopefully after tomorrow's check up I will be a little less nervous of going back.

Oh Ollies Mum, your post brings back so many memories of that dreaded gas mask, with that awful rubbery smell. I think that is what had put the fear of god into me with dentists, although I know they don't use them now. I even had my 4 children natural as the thought of the gas and air reminded me of the dentists gas mask. I am going on friday to have 3 teeth out and i am terrified. I have to have 9 out altogether and the dentist did want me to go to the hospital to have them out, because of my health problems and my fear. But there is a 20 week waiting list. And I really need it done a.s.a.p. as my 2 front teeth have fallen out and I won't go out in daylight in case I frighten the local kids. So I went back to my dentist and asked her if she will try just taking 3 at a time out. So please wish me luck, I am shaking typing this now just thinking about it.

Good luck on Friday - will be thinking of you. Those horrible dentists with their gas masks have a lot to answer for. Still very vivid with me as well.

Yes it comes to something when you would rather go through the pain of childbirth without any drugs than have the gas and air anywhere near you. Good luck for you tomorrow.

I hope you get on ok at the dentists. I am terrified too so know how you feel. I have toothache at the moment (not too bad though) but I have my check-up in 2 weeks time so will have to be brave and mention it then!

My husband is looking into doing a dentistry course so I may be able to have a very nice friendly dentist sometime in the future!