Are You Scared of the Dentist office?
You wouldn’t be the first person to admit that you are scared of going to the dentist… You and over half of the World. Don’t worry- I’m a Registered Dental Hygienist, and I hear all day every day that people hate me and hate going to the dentist… HA! I don’t take it personally. Most people are horrified from past experiences, so I can’t blame them!
I usually reply with: “well thank God I’m not a Dentist”
In return i get… “Well, it’s the same thing…”
NOPE. No, it’s not!!
I work hand in hand with a Dentist… but I focus more on the HYGIENE side of things.
It is SO important to keep up with your regular dental visits… PREVENTION IS KEY.
Are you Scared of the Dentist?
Let me be the first person to say that it is A-OKAY.
I am here to ease your mind, educate you, and hopefully by the end of this post you’ll call up your local dental office to schedule your checkup appointment… (A girl can dream, right?! )
Scheduling your first dental checkup—or your first one in a while—is a big step and a leap of faith! I’m cheering you on every step of the way. Follow these tips, take it one step at a time, and you’ll be there before you know it!
Aim for Comfort- Pick a Dental office within your Comfort Zone!
Call me weird, but do your research. A little investigation before just showing up to an office is a huge help. Reviews go a LONG way in this world. Look up the dentist, hygienist, and dental staff. Check out pictures of the office.
If you like an old-school vibe with paper charts and film that develops in a dark room- those offices still exist. Some might even have the old spit sinks connected to the chair lol. Most offices today are digital with state-of-the-art equipment. Choose what feels most comfortable and familiar to YOU.
Ask your friends, family, or coworkers where they go. People will give honest feedback—word of mouth can steer you toward (or away from) certain places.
Count a little 1-2-3 and just make the phone call
Deciding to call and commit to an appointment is only half of the battle- you still have to show up to the appointment that follows!
It’s not EASY
As Dental professionals we learn very quickly how to read people. We know what you are thinking before you admit it to yourself or say it out loud.
Let me say this loud for the people in the back: We know it’s not easy. Having strangers up close in your personal space can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Even worse if you’re already feeling embarrassed or scared.
So yes—picking up the phone and making that appointment takes real courage.
Just walk through the door!
The hardest part of it all is just walking through the door. Try taking a deep breath as you walk in. Feel free to tell the front desk that it has been a while and you are a little nervous. Whomever should give you a pep talk and welcome you in! Hopefully they are warm & welcoming, but if not, they probably hate their job & you should probably run… Just kidding
I can’t tell you how many women tell me daily that they would rather give birth without an epidural, than step foot in a dental office… but just know that WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.
We are here to HELP. Believe it or not, we are NOT here to judge you. We want to make you feel as comfortable as we are in the office that we love.
Check In and Paperwork
After walking through the front door, celebrate a small victory for just showing up. Then look for the smiling face at the front desk. (If they aren’t smiling… RUN.) Just kidding, they probably just need a coffee. Next, you will fill out paperwork or click thorough a fancy iPad. Be sure to fill out all of the information correctly & give them your ID and Insurance card.
If you don’t have dental insurance, ask about your options for payment plans. Don’t let a lack of insurance stop you from getting the dental care you need. There are more options than you think—affordable plans, payment programs, and community resources are out there to help! Care Credit and many other repayment plans are available to you. Some states in the U.S. have government-funded clinics that take Medicare and Medicaid. Public health offices offer a sliding pay scale fee based on income or offer a discount plans)
You might have to do some research or drive further than 5 minutes to your dental office, but they are out there!
Let’s just be brutally honest for a second though, your teeth and oral health is worth way more than the 80k car, new Louis Vuitton purse, or $1,000 iphone… Make the investment in yourself and your health. Save your pennies, you can do it!
Medical History and Medications
FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD, please fill out all of the information. These are legal documents to protect you and the medical/dental professionals taking care of you.
List literally every medication you are currently taking and all of the surgeries you’ve ever had.
If you take 100 different medications, PLEASE DO YOUR DENTAL STAFF A FAVOR and bring a list of meds. I have had patient’s bring pill bottles to me in a wal-mart bag becuse they didn’t want to forget a medication… I was so excited
You may think this information is overkill, but I promise you it is in YOUR best interest for your safety.
If you just had surgery to replace your knee/hip/ shoulder you might need antibiotic medication before any dental procedures. *the bacteria in your mouth and circulating in your body can affect any knee/hip/shoulder replacement you just had!!
If you just had a stroke and can’t feel your face/tongue, we need to know. If you had a heart attack or a stent placed 3 or 20 years ago, we need to know. If you walk around with sky high blood pressure, or bottomed out low blood pressure, if you pass out or have seizures… we need to know. All information is great information, so we know how to serve YOU the best care.
Details matter. The medications we use can interact with yours, and most health conditions will impact your oral health. Your medical history helps us create the best treatment plan.
What to Expect
After filling out the paperwork that feels like a violation of personal privacy… You get to go to the back where the magic happens! The good thing is that most dental offices will get you in for an initial exam and set of x-rays for your first visit. (or first visit in a while)
You don’t have to do any fillings or cleanings if you don’t want too. YOU are in control here. Consider this a “meet and greet” appointment. You can always come back later for treatment once you’re mentally ready. Breathe.
Usually a dental assistant will take your x-rays and chats with you about your dental concerns. Other offices will schedule you with your hygienist to assess the health of your teeth and gums. Be honest with your dental professionals- We aren’t here to judge, we’re here to help!
Meet your Dental Hygienist!
This assessment is done by a clinical professional that reviews your x-rays, checks and measures the bone surrounding your teeth, and examines your overall gum health. This assessment helps us diagnose the best cleaning and treatment plan for you.
I MIGHT BE BIASED, BUT HYGIENISTS ARE THE BEST.
Your hygienist has a degree, passed national and state exams, and completes 20+ hours of continuing education each year. We know what we’re doing. We know every muscle, nerve, and lymph node in your head and neck. Trust us…..
Your hygienist will look at your x-rays and “poke” around in your gums- No this is not because she “poked your gums so hard she made you bleed”… Healthy gums should not bleed, and your gums should not be sensitive to the touch…
Your hygienist is measuring how deep the gum pockets around your teeth are.
^ KIDDING. The “prison shank” is called a periodontal probe that is used to measure in millimeters how deep the pockets around the teeth are. These measurements help us determine what type of cleaning is best for you!
Healthy gums = 1–3mm.
4mm reading means inflammation is present.
5mm+ usually means gum disease is present, bone infection is present, and you may require more than just a “regular” cleaning.
Based on those results, your dentist and hygienist will determine your cleaning type and how often you should return for maintenance cleanings.
TRUST YOUR HYGIENIST.
In some offices, you might meet the hygienist before or after you meet the Dentist. Not all offices function the same, but hopefully you will meet both clinicians on your first visit. It is always okay to ask who will be cleaning your teeth if you do not get to meet your hygienist on the first visit.
Meet your Dentist!
This is where the fun begins!
The Dentist is joined by the dental assistant or hygienist that took your x-rays. This is your opportunity talk to the dentist face to face & ask questions before looking into your mouth. The dentist will go over your x-rays with you, talk about the findings, and lay your chair back to do a visual exam.
You’ll hear dental lingo that sounds like gibberish- but don’t panic. We’re not judging. We’re simply noting what dental work that has been done before, and what needs attention now.
Some dentists will check visually for any oral conditions- white or red lesions, any signs of cancer, check your tonsils and throat, and locate your lymph nodes in your head neck. This is not a massage don’t make it weird… this is completely normal.
What the dentist (or hygienist) is doing is feeling/ palpating your lymph nodes. If there is infection present in your mouth caused from a tooth or gum issue, that infection drains into your lymph nodes.
SO, if your face looks like a bee sting- we know that we need to act fast.
Best way to avoid all this? Preventative checkups! This is your cue to make that call
Once the exam is done, your dentist will sit your chair upright, and go over the treatment plan step-by-step. From here you will arrive at a treatment plan that ends with your mouth getting healthy again! YAY!
If it has been YEARS since your last dental visit there might be a laundry list of what needs to be done. DON’T PANIC. You will slowly but surely chip away at your plan one area of the mouth at a time. You won’t get a healthy mouth over night, but it will get done. There is no shame or embarrassment needed, the hardest part is over! Now you just need to follow the plan, and make sure to show up at your future appointments.
You got this!
Treatment Plan Coordinator/ Check out
The next to last step is finally here and you can take a deep breath!! YOU MADE IT. This is an important part of every dental appointment. You leave your current appointment planning your NEXT VISIT. No more hiding from the dental office!! No more being scared!
The front desk or a treatment plan coordinator will close out your appointment for today and tell you what your next appointment will be. If you did not get a dental cleaning in your first visit, then will schedule a dental cleaning your hygienist- the first step to a healthy mouth is a CLEAN mouth.
You wouldn’t build a 3 story house on a faulty foundation would you?! Start with a cleaning to have a healthy foundation of teeth and gums. Then you’ll work to fix the teeth that need attention!
If you need a filling or a tooth pulled- you will work out a day and time to come back! You will have gone over what your insurance will cover and what your out-of-pocket pay will be.
*NEWS FLASH* insurance is a scam, and most insurances DO NOT cover your procedures at 100%…… Ask about your insurance & what your out-of-pocket portion will be. This way, you will be prepared to pay the amount you are responsible for when the services are rendered at your next visit!!
Please Please Please, don’t be that person that expects everything to be free… Yes, you are paying an insurance premium… yes, services do still cost money… please do not take it out on us!
Just think if you were to have open heart surgery- you have health insurance, great! You still have to pay a portion to the doctor, facility, anesthesiology, after care/ etc. etc. etc.
If you go out to eat at a fancy restaurant… It’s RARE to order a 6-course meal filled with cocktails, fancy appetizers, lavish main course meals and deserts without PAYING for your bill.
You will find yourself in the back washing dishes if you tell the waitstaff to “just send me a bill in the mail”
The dental staff doesn’t make the rules when it comes to insurance- there are guidelines we have to strictly follow. Dental staff rarely knows what your insurance covers, nor are they responsible for your portion to pay. These are just dental professionals, that are giving you the best course of treatment needed. It is up to you to take it or find a second opinion!
ASK QUESTIONS
Ask questions to the dentist, hygienist, dental assistants, front desk, or any dental staff!!
Ask about your options in your treatment plan.
Ask about your insurance & your out of pocket pay.
Your dentist/ hygienist might not know this information, but they will find an answer for you!
If you feel like there are better options or you want a second opinion to be sure, you are 100% entitled to do just that!!
Go get a second or 3rd opinion before investing your time and money. Feel free to share with the dental staff that it has been a while, and you are a little afraid to be there. IT IS OKAY.
In conclusion, here’s the truth!
Most dental professionals know that you hate being at dental office and here’s the cold, hard “toot… we hate hearing that you hate it.
We already know, we see you… we are just trying to help you feel comfortable, and it is our job to make you hate coming to the dentist a little less
Small steps now can save you pain, stress, and money later—and maybe even make you not dread your next dental visit!
XOXO,
-your favorite Dental Hygienist!
