My Dentist Is Oblivious To PTSD.

[falcon]

I have put off seeing my dentist for about 2 years. I like to be viewed as a rational person and I go into a panic attack when he has to work on my mouth. I questioned him on his knowledge of ptsd and he gave me a blank look. I hate losing control of my emotional state in his office with the rapid heartbeat and the flushing of my face.

Well, off to try a new dentist this week. I need to take care of my teeth!

Question: Are medical students and dental students schooled these days in how to handle ptsd in their patients? I would rather learn to handle my emotions than be given some knock out medicine while he works on me.

 

[kers]

A lot of dentists have been trained in working with abuse victims (I've read several articles that indicate this, anyway). Maybe it would help if you told the dentist what you needed and he could say whether he was able to work that way (i.e., I get scared and will need to be able to take breaks when I say so, I need to be able to say stop and have you listen, etc.)

 

[amethist]

All dentists should be aware of how dental work can effect people in different ways, whether PTSD is involved or not. You may need to make your new dentist aware of how you would like to work along with him.

I have always been scared of dentists, mine comes from childhood, but nothing out of the ordinary for most of a certain age.

I then found a young, female dentist, she was wonderful. Always booked bit of extra time for appointments that needed anything more than a quick clean up. Unfortunately she left, needed to live back nearer her mum who was ill.

Now I have to retrain another dentist to do thing the same way. I did say retrain, as that is how I see it, they can do what is needed but at my pace, not theirs.

This is from a carer not a sufferer.

Amethist

 

[Tess_Durbeyfield]

Heh, I think many dentists are a _cause_ of PTSD!

 

[cherryblossom]

I think dentists 'should' be clued up to deal with difficulties their patients may have. Whether that's caused by PTSD, previous abuse, or a general phobia. I know in the UK there are some dentists who litterally specialise in those patients who have 'dentist phobia', whatever the cause. I hope you can find someone who is little more sympathetic to your needs.

 

[Dougal]

I had a discussion with my dentist some time ago about the issue of dentists being schooled / trained in dealing with patients who had phobia's. She told me that the topic is covered in their training in a general manner, that they are not experts. I have been going to my current dentist for approximately 25 years. My dentist has gradually became aware of my fears and she has over time educated herself regarding this issue. I was not open with her regarding my needs. Yet I expected her to be a mind reader and proceed cautiously with me.

My communication with her has become more open and in the past few months I told her about my diagnosis. I have noticed that as my openess increased, so did her attempts to make me comfortable during visits. She has stress balls, a CD player / relaxing music, and a hypnotic relaxation program which she uses if the dental work is beyond basic cleaning - for this she books additional time. This aspect of her care is not just for me. She is well tuned in to all her patients and offers support where it is needed. She also monitors other staff in her office to ensure they are respectful. The reality is I have her support because I communicated with her. Trust this helps.
CM

 

[Nishkaa]

I've gone in with a fellow abuse survivor to her dentist appointment, just to help her feel more safe-- that's okay to do and we checked with her dentist first on that.

I had a freaky experience of having to get out all four of my wisdom teeth-- in my early 30s, so the roots were attached to my jaw bone and so it wasn't a pleasant experience. I was sedated, but very consciously aware, I could hear it. I had a trauma-reaction, where I got up suddenly reacting to the feeling of 'being under attack", so I had a fight response, but it didn't go further than getting up fast and suddenly. Then I because weepy. The nurse/hygenist seemed to understand though, and that she's seen that before "oh weepiness, that happens sometimes. . ."-- just a simple validation that helped me feel present, and that felt really good was just that understanding and 'normalizing" of my reaction.

I didn't think about letting them know about the ptsd. I did have someone come in with me though as was normal pre-requisite for having dental surgery. So, it was okay in the end. But it hurt! My face was super swollen up and I don't like codiene-- for some reason, it makes me feel really stoned.

Anyway, I've done this for some of my friends, to come in for their dental appointments, other examinations, just for support. It worked out good that way.