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Dentistry

OAP - Older Autistic Person

Had a scale and polish at my dental appointment today and nearly went into meltdown.

Noise, moisture, vibration, lights in my eyes, and feeling like I could not breathe.

My whole body went rigid. I had to ask them to pause, and felt like I was going to have a panic attack.

It is the first time in ages I've had a scale and polish, so I guess it needed more work than I'd experienced previously.

Not a fun start to the day.

  • ...that experience and response was, unfortunately, pretty much me too (last week).

    I don't usually have quite so much difficulty with such appointments (I guess that is down to scoring - spiky profile (1) : me (nil) on this occasion).

    For some reason; my perception, this time, was: that the water they use was as though fresh from a fridge.  I don't generally have cold-sensitive teeth - so the whole thing caught me unawares.

  • Dental Experience Review

    Incident: During lockdown my filling came out on a Saturday night. The dentist called me back quickly to book me in. Extra time was allowed for Covid restrictions, and I had the usual arrival checks like temperature.

    Treatment: I was given a resin filling with no drilling. I had to wait 15 minutes for it to dry before I could have a drink and cake. I was told it may last around a year.

    Outcome: A few months later the filling broke. I considered going back but didn’t want to spend another £75 on a resin filling that might break again, so I left it.

    Service: It felt like they weren’t very interested. I know both dentists had a second baby a few years ago and were fundraising for Bristol Children’s Hospital for the baby’s treatment, which is understandable. But the good dentist and hygienist I used to see have since left, and as a patient I no longer felt like a priority.

    Verdict:

    *Recommend:* No  

    *Value for money:* No  

    *Would return:* No  

    On the waiting list for a really good dentist, walking distance and may ended up having a lot of work done. Undoing the damage.

  • I'm the same. I have to tell them before starting that if I raise my hand I need them to stop and let me have a break. It's like torture for me, and I haven't had it done for a few years now.

  • Hello  

    I am sorry to hear that you had a negative experience at the dentist. It's a common experience for autistic people to struggle in these situations. You might find it useful to have a look at our information from the NAS on ways in which to improve your experience going to the dentist:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/physical-health/going-to-the-dentist/autistic-adults

    All the best,

    Chloe Mod

  • I'm not a fan of the dentist at the best of times, but scale and polish I really don't like, I can't cope with the vibrations, I hate having my teeth gouged at with mental picks, I don't like the taste of the polish and I don't like the feel of my mouth afterwards. I've been told that I should have a nice smile and stuff like that by hygenists that look like animated barbie dolls, I'd rather stop smiling!