lying in the dentist’s chair this afternoon, did I distract myself with images of a quiet country day, a peaceful seaside walk or time with my family or friends? No.
I started composing a blogpost about it all.
I think I’m an addict 😉
So yes, I’ve been to the dentist. Now, I should be clear here, I don’t like dentists. I’m sure it’s nothing desperately personal, but then again, I’m not sure I’ve ever met once outside a dental surgery, so how would I know? I’m not phobic in the same way at least one of my friends is, but I do have a problem with the whole needle thing. I have a problem with all needles actually, dates back to some very unpleasant blood tests when I was a teenager with a mystery illness. Sticking one into my mouth is not guaranteed to cheer me up, in fact, it is going to do the opposite.
And then, when I finally summon up the courage to be assertive and remark that I’m quite frankly terrified, being told that there’s no need, they are only doing a little injection the same way they do for children does *not* help. What, was she trying to patronise me into behaving better? How much better could I behave – I didn’t cry, moan, or lamp her one, although the temptation to do the last increased steadily throughout the forty minutes I lay there, as she drilled out old fillings, cleaned my teeth by pulling them out by the roots, and chatted over my head with her improbable mind-reading assistant, while failing to locate many of her instruments at first attempt, and having one of them fire gunk down the side of my neck at regular intervals. Oh, and then there was the moment when, staring at her gloves, I found myself wondering whether it was her blood on them, or a previous victim’s. Ghoulish I know, but they were at the time discussing the stain on one of her instruments, and how it just *wouldn’t* come of in the autoclave…
I’m not a happy bunny, can you tell? And this joyful experience cost me nearly £130. Must find HSA forms and work out what I’m entitled to get back. Hope it’s something!
Back relatively early, but not on best of form, to another ranty evening attempting to glean the smallest amount of cooperation out of the offspring. I’m not quite sure why we’re stuck in the pattern of mummy has to yell before anything is done that she wants (I’m not talking major stuff here, just getting into the bath at bathtime, getting out of it after a while, getting ready for bed, you know, the basics really) but we are indeed well and truly stuck. I had another of *those* conversations tonight asking if there’s any reason for it…pointless conversation, I know it, you know it, doesn’t change anything.
Hohum. I’m sure it’s down to her feeling attention deprived. I can see her point of view. Doesn’t help me much though 🙁
Oh, and Small’s verbal achievement of the day? Apologies Sarah, he’s topped saying your name. Now he can say his own 🙂
Comments
10 responses to “It's just possible I have a problem”
I don’t like the sound of your dentist at all LOL I probably would have lamped her or refused to pay the bill! Until I got the dentist we have now I felt the same about all the others. The one we have now explains absolutely everything she is doing before she does it and as she is doing it. She also gives a cream anesthetic ‘before’ she puts in the needle so you can’t feel that going in either.
Do you think it’s the phase of the moon or something 😉
Dentist’s sounds horrid, hope you don’t need to go have anything else done.
I bet you’d lamp me if I said “it’ll pass” and that you should just shout increasingly loudly to be on the safe side.
I’ll not make either of those suggestions though because I don’t want any damage to or from the fixtures, fittings or furniture on your next visit 😛
I’ve met a few dentists – one of dh’s best friends in school became a dentist and he was lovely (both as a friend and as a professional – he treated us until we moved away). And I worked with dental students, and they were the usual mixed bag, some great, some okay, some pita. But I don’t like the sound of yours: too dismissive and disengaged.
Re the needle thing – I am with you in a big way. So what I have always had dentists do is use the numbing gel, wait until my gum is completely numb, then I lie there with my eyes closed and mentally go “tra-la-la-la” until the injection bit is over.
As for the blogging – ROFL. Yep, here too, definitely. I’m constantly composing blog posts in my head 😀
Hmmm…just thinking. Perhaps if you’d started composing your blog post *out loud* while at the dentist’s, she might have taken what you were saying a bit more seriously . Or she might have said “wtf are you doing?” in which case you could have said “well you’re having your own conversation which doesn’t involve me…so I’m having mine that doesn’t involve you”
huge sympathy on the shoutiness – had a day like that here, and can’t even blame it on attention seeking as it’s often while I’m actually doing something *with* them that they pull that stunt of just ignoring what I’m saying or whining about it until I yell.
No problem! I was well chuffed with Fwawah!
Oooh you have all my sympathy, I hate dentists too – I found the only one I have ever liked in Worthing and am seriously contemplating travelling hundreds of miles twice a year to keep seeing her. Re the children, erm no answers here other than hold your ground and give them choices only in how to comply not in whether to comply.
I think my lot all have defective hearing – nothing ever gets done unless I shout.
Or switch the tv off. That tends to galvanise them into action. 😀
Or better still, refuse to switch it on the next day – and follow through. Piglet was so gobsmacked, she forgot to scream.
Hugs. I registered myself with a dentist today so DS2 could go on the list and I’m regretting it already and I doubt I’ll have an appointment for months! Sounds like a letter of complaint wouldn’t go amiss for yours. My friends little boy had root canal treatment today and she said the way the dentist did it was marvellous, he angled the light right in the the childs eyes so they couldn’t see what was coming, he didn’t even realise he had had an injection or anything, just sat there blinking a lot throughout the whole thing! I’m hoping when I go I’ll get the same dentist LOL!
A few years ago, I finally found a dentist who didn’t make me feel that way. But, I’ve gone to alot more who gave the impression that I was irrelevant (beyond the ‘placating so they have a reason to charge me’ responses.