Dentophobia, odontophobia, Dental phobia.. Whatever!

I suppose this is retribution. I avoided the dentist for more years than I can remember.
The last time was probably when I was in my early teens, when visiting the dentist in school was not an option.
Summons to the school dentist was during class hours. And when the dentist appeared in class, with a stack of cards, there will be utter silence.
It was like being called up for caning (note: back then caning was an acceptable form of punishment in schools)
Back then, dentistry was still ”primitive” technologically. I wonder if the mantra of that generation of dentists was “if in doubt, extract it.” And extract they did. Schools were the best training grounds for interning dentists. So there was no lack of guinea pigs.
My dentophobia happened after this @$*! of a dentist tried to extract one of my molars. It took 9 painful injections of local  anesthetic before she managed to get it out. * Ouch*

So I lived with my only set of teeth all those years.. until, the missus “persuaded” me to see the dentist about my bleeding gums.
Overcoming phobia is a very mental thing. For me, it took months of psyching up before I finally walked into a dental clinic (I actually cancelled 2 previous appointments using any lame excuse I could get hold of).
So, one fine Saturday, after researching many many articles and references on the web for the best and most sought after dentist in Bishan (unfortunately they don’t rate dental clinics on the web), I bit the bullet and  mentally resolved to get it done.
I walked round the many clinics in Bishan (there must have been at least 5 in close proximity) and chose the least crowded one (still hoping that I’d be rejected).
As Fate would have it, his current appoinment was a no-show and he was free to see me immediately. Uh-oh.. ouch time.
Those 5 injections and 45 minutes later, strangely, didn’t appear all that bad.  I mean, yes, it was painful, but I have no regrets. I was happy that I got it done!
Certainly the technology was very different. The doctor even looked like he was wearing a space suit and helmut.
At the end of it.. . gee whiz! That’s what clean teeth looks like?
And so, late in the year, I have resolved to visit the dentist at least once in 4 months.
He did promise, no more jabs needed for cleaning…

~ by macrocosm on October 9, 2006.