advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
scarlett35
Member
scarlett35 has no updates.
 
Member Since: May 2017
Posts: 329
5 yr Member
2 hugs
given
Default Dec 03, 2020 at 09:24 AM
  #1
Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about posting this for a while, and have felt really worried for some time. To be honest I've been really up and down with it and go through periods of thinking this is just OCD and then other periods where my mind is just convinced that something wasn't right here.

So a couple of months ago I was referred from my regular dentist to a specialist to have some quite intensive tooth procedures done. This dentist is well regarded, has absolutely amazing reviews etc, so I was thinking all would be well. I've always been a little concerned about the dentist anyway in terms of contamination (my OCD focuses on blood borne diseases mainly) and it isn't the first time I've felt anxious about things the dentist has done while I've been in the chair, but this is just tormenting me so badly and I can't seem to let go.

So I went in and everything seemed spotless in reception and the waiting area. Everything clean and they have all of the COVID procedures in place etc. Everyone was wearing masks and gloves and such. I wasn't allowed to touch anything not even the door handles! I'm thinking that this is really good and obviously they've got their infection procedures well established etc, but then I went into the actual surgery bit (where you have the work done). Again, everything seemed clean and such, but I couldn't help but notice little things in there that kind of alarmed me a bit.

My main area of concern was the computer keyboard. The dentist did not touch the keyboard the entire time I was there until he was ungloved after the procedure. However, the nurse had to type some things in when I had a x-ray and some other bits and pieces about my teeth. This happens all the time I think... But I've never noticed before now (OCD picking up on it I'm guessing). Anyway I was kind of trying to see whether or not she took her gloves off when she did this. It's hard to tell when you're laying in the chair, but I didn't hear her remove them or put new ones back on again. I'm basically concerned that she has been touching the keyboard with dirty saliva gloves, coming back and then working in my mouth with contaminated gloves (which she could have also done for previous patients). I also noticed the dentist doing little, less concerning things like opening the door while wearing gloves (before my treatment) and not changing them afterwards, and opening the box for me to put my bag and coat in (while gloved, but again before I had any treatment).

Like I said, my main worry here is the keyboard and mouse I guess. I even checked the brand of keyboard and they're not medical keyboards, and they weren't covered by plastic wraps or anything like that. I'm assuming they get wiped down after each patient, but is this good enough to kill blood borne pathogens? I'm not sure. Also, if they wiped the keyboards too often surely all the letters would come off?

I'm really really scared I could have caught something from this exposure. Particularly HIV for instance. It's awful feeling so frightened. I've been looking for reassurance, doing lots of googling and such and worse, I came down with a mystery illness a couple of weeks later which I thought could be HIV-related. People may wonder why I didn't question it at the time, but I also have crippling social anxiety and didn't want to make a fuss. I literally find it difficult to talk to anyone let alone start complaining to the dentist

I'm not sure what I'm looking for here. I know reassurance is bad. I've thought about writing to the dentist to check that they clean the keyboards between patienrs, but think this is a compulsion and again, I don't want to make a fuss, especially as they'd find out my name and the rest of the service I experienced was top notch! I guess I just needed to vent and hear some comforting words if anyone has any. I'm struggling to concentrate at work because of this. I don't know if I'm being over-dramatic. I don't know what I think or what to do. I don't want to get tested because the fear waiting for the results is unreal, and also it feeds the OCD, but I'm also scared I will pass something to my partner.

Thanks to anyone who read all this... it helps to just vent, I'm just so so worried and scared!
scarlett35 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Yaowen

advertisement
Yaowen
Grand Magnate
 
Yaowen's Avatar
Yaowen has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jan 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 3,618 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
6,475 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 04, 2020 at 03:18 PM
  #2
Dear scarlett35,

I noticed similar things on my last visit to the dentist. In addition, the nurse there had a bad cough. She said it was just allergies but I found myself unnerved by it.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen
Yaowen is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
scarlett35
scarlett35
Member
scarlett35 has no updates.
 
Member Since: May 2017
Posts: 329
5 yr Member
2 hugs
given
Default Dec 06, 2020 at 08:05 AM
  #3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaowen View Post
Dear scarlett35,


I noticed similar things on my last visit to the dentist. In addition, the nurse there had a bad cough. She said it was just allergies but I found myself unnerved by it.


Sincerely yours, Yao Wen
Thanks for replying and I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in my worries.

I'm probably overthinking it but I've just become very concerned over it. I know I will be watching everything at the dentist the next time I go, and the illness I developed after made me even more concerned.
scarlett35 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Albertina Geller
Member
Albertina Geller has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jun 2020
Location: United States
Posts: 36
3 yr Member
Default Dec 14, 2020 at 07:29 AM
  #4
I am suffering from toothache for 4 days, my GP recommended visiting a dentist but I am afraid to go to a dentist after reading this post.
Albertina Geller is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
scarlett35
Member
scarlett35 has no updates.
 
Member Since: May 2017
Posts: 329
5 yr Member
2 hugs
given
Default Dec 21, 2020 at 04:12 AM
  #5
I know how you feel and sorry this post made you feel scared. If you have toothache you definitely need to go to the dentist. There are a lot of things that go on "behind the scenes" to make sure it's clean and contamination free, and even more so now with Covid! We have to take small risks in daily life and think how much trouble the dentist would be in if something were to be passed on. Other than those things I noticed which probably were cleaned before I even got in the room, everything was spotless. They wore masks, gloves, the dentist didn't touch the computer at all and got the nurse to do it instead, so all of the visible precautions were definitely there. It's just that OCD hangs on to that tiny "what if?"

Also, just to say as well when I posted this my anxiety was really high. It's subsided quite a lot now and even though I still get the occasional thought about it I'm able to get on with things pretty much normally these things subside over time!
scarlett35 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:45 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.