Pom........

When I was a receptionist for a dentist, up in Kenosha, WI, we had 1 patient who (retired) had been a nun, and was raped. She was most uncomfortable coming to see us, even to have her teeth cleaned. It wasn't about the fear of the pain associated with the dentist.

The dentist always sedated her by writing a script for valium and I think used laughing gas. That worked for her. You have to be firm when you make your calls, tell them even having a probe in you mouth puts you over the edge. You don't have to explain any other issues, just a phobia. There are a lot of people who have phobias about the dentist. Or people in general getting into their personal space.

One other patient was afraid of needles, had a phobia I should say, he had very bad teeth. When Dr. W. would do anything, this patient would not allow an injection, so he jumped a lot and had Dr. W. try to explain why he had to sit still, that he had a very high speed drill in his hand and he could accidently hurt him. The dentist was frustrated too. They worry about law suites, and are very concerned about their patients.

Well, he was only trying to help the guy, what they ended up doing, he and a group of dentist got this patient in an out-patient clinic, put him under, did all the work at one time, it was something huge, root cannals, crowns, fillings, some extractions.....I remember doing up Dr. W.'s part of the bill alone.....but he got his teeth "healthy" and looking good. He was farely young too, I don't recall his age, but because of his fear of needles, he just didn't have good dental health.

The patient really appreciated what this group of docs did for him. It does happen, maybe this is the answer for you.

Take care, I know my mind set is to keep my own teeth as long as possile, they may not be the straightest, the whitest, even the healthest, but they are mine!

Dr. W. tried to talk this dude into seeing a specialist in phobias as part of his care as well. I don't know if he ever did or not, but I hope so for his furture "teeth". I vote for you to keep looking for a good dentist and that you keep your own teeth, bridges and all.

My sister-in-law got dentures and has had nothing but problems with them. She was on medicade at the time and they only allow 1 lining per year, at least at the time that is all they allowed. She has this very quick trigger gag reflex and because the dentures and the lining didn't ever fit properly, when she wore them, she gaged very easily. She carried them in her purse and only wore them when with company. She learned to gum her food rather than hassle with them. Now she doesn't bother to wear them at all.

Good luck, I know you can do it!