What is currently happening that is scaring you?

My s/o has PTSD and really severe anxiety at the dentist’s office. We’ve been to several different clinics in two different states, ranging from low income sliding-scale type operations to higher end orthodontist offices. We have always disclosed his issues to the staff and there has never once been a nurse or doctor that’s ever made either one of us uncomfortable. The last doctor we saw even wiped the tears off his face during the procedure. He likes to have me nearby as often as possible and they allow me to stay in the room with him until it’s time for the actual surgery to begin. Sometimes they do have the option of a complete sedation but usually that’s not the case.

The people who answer phones and do the scheduling can be hit or miss (what about answering phones at a doctor’s office makes somebody so miserable I have no idea but they’re consistently the worst part of any healthcare experience for both of us) but unless your visit is going to be something out of the ordinary you don’t have to tell them anything over the phone if you don’t want to. The only time I disclose details to the office staff is the time he was completely sedated to have six teeth removed at once, because they had to schedule us a specific time slot for that.

Hopefully this is somewhat helpful for you, it’s been a long stressful journey for us so I try to help by sharing our experiences whenever possible.

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