Fearful No More Robin Brocato, M.H.S., Health and Disabilities Branch, Head Start Bureau There was a time in my life that the mere thought of visiting a dentist was enough to make my heart pound, my palms sweat, and keep me awake until the wee hours of the morning. While I don't recall any particularly traumatic visits to the dentist as a child, I believe that, since my visits were quite infrequent, the older I got (and realized what dentists actually did!), the more fearful I became. As a result, I only received dental care in times of emergencies-and preferably while heavily sedated.
Eventually I began to realize the harsh consequences of my fear-losing teeth! This approach to dental care was not only painful, it was also expensive. I then had the misfortune of losing a front tooth, which I was forced to have replaced at great cost. This misfortune turned out to be a blessing in disguise, however, because I met a dentist who took it upon himself to cure me of my fear.
My previous relationships with dentists can best be described as nightmares. But my new dentist was very patient, spoke in a calm voice, and listened to my fears. The most important thing he did, however, was not react to my antics in the chair (lots of squirming, noises, hand motions, etc.)! Instead, he was very patient with me, spoke to me in a soft but firm voice, and went about his business calmly and reassuringly. After three visits, I realized that I was not going to be severely tortured and began to relax. By the time my tooth was replaced, I was no longer afraid.
Since then I have changed dentists, but I have retained the experience of this one dentist. And I now listen to that little voice inside me that tells me whether or not a particular dentist is the right one for me. I continue to be "fearful no more," and make it a point to visit my dentist twice a year. I now truly realize the importance of regular dental checkups, and, believe it or not, actually look forward to dental visits!