Hate Dentists: Top 10 Reasons People Hate Dentists
75
Why People HATE Dentists?
Do you hate dentists? You're not alone. There's lots of online rants and dentist-bashing going on these days.
Even though I'm a dentist, this article could easily be considered Anti-Dentite as I go over-the-top in describing these Top 10 Reasons People Hate Dentists.
This is an adaptation of my personal blog post at Hate Dentists Blog.
Behind the Veil
I saw a video the other day on Youtube of a dentist in America doing some extractions on a young boy.
The boy was freaked out. The dentist just used a headlock and went ahead and extracted a few teeth. The dentist was abrupt with the child, but mercifully quick with the dentistry.
As a dentist, I didn't think much of it.
Once I read the viewers comments, I could see how people were horrified and thought this was complete brutality.
I watched the video again and yes, I could see how someone could easily view it that way.
Here's my point. The harshness of reality is often hidden behind layers of veil.
Dentistry is harsh and invasive.
Dentists take many steps to make it seem far less so, including Pain Management and Dental Sedation. But underneath all those veils we put up, it's not very pretty.
When people get a glimpse of that unveiled reality, they get upset. They get afraid. They start coming up with excuses to avoid things they don't like.
What you're about to read is a peak behind the veil.
Top 10 Reasons People Hate Dentists:
Why People HATE Dentists #1 – The Needle!
Sharp stabby things piercing my flesh and withdrawing my blood or injecting strange fluids. No thanks! This is #6 on a Gallup Poll of the Top 10 Adult Phobias. For children it's probably even higher.
Why People HATE Dentists #2 – The Pain!
That jolting, toe-curling pain straight out of Marathon Man torture scenario. If you've felt pain like that once, you NEVER want to feel it again. Every time you go, you feel it that threat of pain hanging over you like a hammer ready to slam down on you.
Why People HATE Dentists #3 – The Anxiety!
Going to the dentist represents the sum of all fears for some people. Even if nothing bad happens, the sleepless night before and stomach-churning anxiety leading up to the appointment can ruin the entire day. This is a version of General Anxiety Disorder that is triggered by going to the dentist.
Why People HATE Dentists #4 – The Drill!
General anxiety lacks focus. For some people, the dreaded dental drill is the specific focus of their anxiety. The high-pitched whine, the grinding into teeth, the bone-rattling vibration, the smell of teeth turned into dust. Not to mention the disturbing thought of having a Weapon of Mass Tooth Destruction placed right into your oral cavity. One slip and you could have a smile like The Joker.
Why People HATE Dentists #5 – The Invasiveness!
Our personal space is sacred to us. It's very disturbing to have anyone invade that space. Dentists jump right into a very intimate, sensitive part of your body. More or less the equivalent of that facehugger in the movie Alien.
Why People HATE Dentists #6 – The Sounds & Smells!
This one ties right in with the drill, but it's more focused on the sensory aspect. Some people hate the smell of hospitals and dental offices. Add on the sound of a crying child in the background and you've got an epidemic of white-knuckles. And that's while you're still seated back in the waiting room!
Why People HATE Dentists #7 – The Cost!
It's not just that you have to endure a sweat-soaked round of oral-assault in the chair, now you're expected to go up front and pay for that. It ain't cheap, and you always feel like you have to defend your pocketbook every time you enter a dental office.
Why People HATE Dentists #8 – The Lectures!
The physical ordeal is bad enough, now you have to endure a tongue lashing like you're 4 years old again. Who needs that? What might seem endlessly fascinating to dental professionals need not be vomited onto you every time you sit in a dental chair.
Why People HATE Dentists #9 – The Poor Service!
Dentistry is already low enough on the fun meter. Throw in bad service and trips to the dentist become intolerable. You scramble like mad to show up, only to find you have to wait. Once it's your turn, you feel like a piece of meat with teeth moving along on a conveyor belt. You're treated with indifference by everyone you speak to and the humanity seems to be entirely sucked out of the place.
Oh wait... that's hospitals. Dentists tend to be nicer. If they weren't reasonably nice to me, why would I ever go back?
Why People HATE Dentists #10 – The Bad Memories!
Children are vulnerable, sensitive souls. If you happened to get the bejeebers scared out of you as a child while you were at the dentist, that emotionally-charged event will become deeply embedded in your memory. Every time you step into a dentist's office can trigger a flashback that makes you feel like you're reliving that same childhood nightmare.
There you have it, the Top 10 Reasons People Hate Dentists. If you had to pick just one, what would you choose as the #1 Reason to Hate Dentists?
Please participate in the poll. Thank you!
_____________________________________________________________
Written by Dr. Joe Bulger
Toronto Dentist @ Royal York Dental
_____________________________________________________________
CommentsLoading...
Great points Chris.
You're right that fear isn't the big thing anymore. Cost and embarrassment are what keep people away. It's harder to face the music when it's been a while.
People feel embarrassed about their teeth AND their financial situation. Double whammy these days.
I've got a video in the works to support this topic. Should be interesting!
Joe :D
The anxiety of making the trip, only to find out you can not afford the costs of what needs to be done, which turns into stress of needing something done, which increases when it's time to drill, and the pain when the numbness rubs off.
Needless to say, I have to meditate in order to make it through my dental appointments. But, it looks like Joe from your list that dentists are at least aware of a patient's insecurities. Rating up! :)
Great comments MG! You've zeroed in on the crux of it. The money and pain issues make it all so hard for people. Add onto that the current economic gloom, and we've got lots more people forced to get by without any dental care.
really useful...but why fear the dentist they are good pipo i shd know am one......
I overcome my fear of dentist for necessity and I discovered that the fear was not justified. Anyway I can not stand when someone puts his/her hands in my mouth. I see that it is not my only experience but it is part of the first ten reasons why people hate dentists!
A patient's perspective:
I keep reading these articles about why people don't go to the dentist and no one seems to mention that people have had poor dental work in the past or that their dental problem could have been avoided if the dentist had only said something about it.
I personally have always gone to the dentist. Low and behold, I lost teeth because my dentist failed to mention I had gum disease. Then, as the years progressed, I became embarrassed. I had the teeth of someone who looked like she didn't go to the dentist when I went to the dentist regularly.
Now, when I go to the dentist, all they tell me is what is wrong with my teeth. Again, having gone to the dentist since I was a toddler, it angers me to hear from A DENTIST all the things wrong with my teeth.
So, the real reasons people don't go to the dentist is SHODDY WORK, FAILURE TO PREVENT, and the CONSTANT JUDGMENTS. Most people don't want a deal from the dentist, they want the dentist to PREVENT their problems, treat their problem without causing more problems, and stop judging and telling them what is wrong with their teeth. Also, when I say tell them what's wrong, I don't mean cosmetically--I am talking about lack of proper tar control, cavities, gum disease, etc.. Instead of: you need veneers, you need crowns, etc.
I never understood why people feared the dentist or avoided the dentist until my recent experience of (1) judgment; (2) shoddy work; and (3) lack of concern about preventing problems.
It bothers me that there is this stereotype. I am a dentist myself and I fit none of these characteristics. Yes, getting surgery is painful, what do you expect? There are many good dentists out there, and I am sorry none of you have found one.
The dentist HAS to tell you what is wrong. I will tell my patients if they're doing something good, but if I don't tell them what's wrong, I can get sued. It's part of the job.
robbin bastards ..
Chris 23 months ago
It's funny, but given the advances in dental techniques, most of folks' fears are antiquated. Modern pain management minimizes patient discomfort and reduces the time spent in the chair. And, ironically, these very fears often delay the dentist visit, making the eventual corrective procedure far more complex than it need be.