A very nervous patient

[LI]

Dear Pearl Practice,

I am a very nervous patient but I really do need to see a dentist. I have a needle phobia which started after a nasty needle episode in my childhood and although it's something I am constantly working on (having had several blood tests - with the aid of magic cream - this year alone!) it does seem to have leaked into a bit of a dentist phobia.

I continued with seeing my dentist regularly but this worry was followed by several unpleasant experiences and moments where I was told off for my teeth by my dentist - until I finally stopped going.

About six years ago I had an abscess under my tooth which finally forced me to go to the dentist. The practice I saw were absolutely lovely and I had two sedation appointments where they put right several years of neglect. Since then I have moved to London and have had no problems with my teeth so have let my dentist needs slide.

Last year a piece of one of my back teeth fell out and (although there is little or no pain) I am aware I need to sort it all. I have been putting this off for about a year and am getting more and more nervous about the whole thing.

Over the last couple of months I've had a bit of discomfort and so I'm trying to find a new practice to help me deal with the blatant work that needs doing. I hope you can help and would very much like to come in and see you in the next week or so (if that is possible).

Many thanks and best wishes,

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your question.

We will do our best to restore your faith in dentistry. Telling people off is not something we do here and if you do suffer from dental anxiety, we will provide you with sedation to make your dental experience more pleasant.

If your anxiety can be managed without sedation, we can provide you with topical gel anaesthesia and the Wand painless injection system, to make your experience a more pleasant one.