Visits to the dentist

Compositor

Hi All,

I have been following the thread re other persons jaw problems, which brought this subject to mind, visits to the Dentist?

Since my obvious problem with arthritis in my jaw area, I also problems elsewhere, spine, both knees, right hand, shoulders and neck areas. Visiting has become a very worrying thing for me now, more often than not, the actually current Dentist are moving on, you don't necessarily see the same for very long before a change of face. When it was paper notes I asked the Receptionist/Dental Nurse and even Dentist themselves if they would highlight on the head of the notes that I was very nervous about the chair being moved/lowered without any prior notice. It sets my nerves off straight away, I get very anxoius, upset and it triggers off me shaking. They almost got use to highlighted note on the file until someone new came. To follow, was the digital changeover of now, computorised! They say a warning is supposed to flag up my request to whoever is dealing with me re the movement of the chair, but, since technology came itis worse than ever, they never seem to notice it at all. "Oh you remind us in ample time" is their response now. But, it is a big issue for me personally...I question if anyone else has problems within the dentist area especially with arthritis aspects. Sorry to have a good rant, but, I am interested in other persons experiences, or, is just me! aghhhh.

Thanks John x

stickywicket

I don't have that sort of problem, John, but I do have trouble opening my mouth anything like wide enough as the arthritis has affected my jaw. My dentist is very good though & tells me everything she's about to do before she does it so I think if you had her, or someone like her, you'd be OK. She solved my problem by giving me a tube to bite on. It means my jaw is relaxed not having to keep itself open. I'm sorry you're having such a bad experience. Could you change dentists?

luckybug

I find it hard to get a decent dentist now on the NHS I have had two in last 6 months and sacked both of them 1st one had the nurse look after me instead of the dentist and when I queried it I was called a liar, and told the nurse would not touch me.....she did. Then I went to another one and they wrote out a list of about 8 things they did to my teeth and they did nothing. I'm livid as I have arthritic jaw neck etc and cleaning my teeth is hard as my elbows are fixed and hands are twisted, so I really enjoy going to the dentist and having a good old polish and scale, I've never had a filling and my teeth are really healthy, but if this goes on much longer I fear they may not be.

jillyb1

I have also had a lot of jaw pain problems ; my last dentist appointment was totally pointless as the dentist informed me , " arthritis problem not dental , speak to your rheumatologist , I'm not touching it . " Bet you can guess already what the hospital say ! Yes indeed , " Dental problem , nothing to do with us . " ! Just another dropped stitch in life's rich tapestry . Jillyb

justinbarrow

The thing that I hate about visiting the dentist is when they lay you back on the chair it is really painfull and after a very short time the pain gets worse and its not like you can just get back up.

The fun part is when they say that they have finished and you cant prise yourself off the dentist chair because you have seized up.

I have the dentist in a few weeks, The thing with dentists is like taking your car for an M.O.T...you always go to them and just pray nothing major needs doing

Compositor

Hi all, just wanted to thank you for answering my thread, I have always wondered if anyone is troubled as I am when visiting the dentist...the chiropodist/podietry is pretty much the same, I don't know if that's because of the surgery I had my spine...really shake me up when I have been to either. Thanks, John x