Dental Visit Rookies: Nerve Pill or Not?

For 27 years, I managed to avoid the agony of ever having to step foot in a dentist's office. My luck ran out when my right upper wisdom tooth made it clear to me that our time together had approached its end. It was instantly obvious to the dental staff that my experience with dentistry was non-existent the day of my appointment. The office worker was the first to notice when I turned in my paperwork failing to fill out 2 of the 4 papers. I retrieved the papers with a shaky hand and sighed at once again having to control my nerves enough to maneuver the pen. That was when I noticed that I had misspelled my own name and had mixed up the numbers of my telephone number.

For some reason, a first time visit to the dentist is as stressful as being held hostage in a robbery. You have no idea what to expect but you know pain is a very possible outcome. Just the idea of someone placing metal objects in your mouth and knowing that they will be ripping out a tooth is enough to make you put down the candy bar and reach for a carrot. You almost want to make a deal with God, "I'll never eat sugar again, if you just heal this up real quick so I won't have to go!" A trip to the dentist is terrifying, and I have found that many dentists have become rather insensitive to this reality.

As I sat, stiff and tense waiting for the trauma to begin, the assistant came to take the vital signs. Once I had to lift my arm for the blood pressure cuff, it started trembling. After I explained to her that it was the first time I had ever been to the dentist, sympathy painted across her face. I was then informed that if I had made it known to them at the time I had made the appointment, they would have prescribed me a nerve pill. Usually one to shun off any type of pill, that nerve pill would have been one that I would have gratefully accepted. Luckily, I had managed to make an appointment with a well trained and friendly dentist who had a wonderful staff. Both of which was very sympathetic with my situation. Many have not been as lucky as I was.

A 23 year old co-worker of mine had just set up an appointment with another dentist about 2 weeks after my wisdom tooth extraction. She, also, was having a wisdom tooth removed and was a dental rookie. As I completely understood her nervousness and constant worry concerning the upcoming event, I told her to contact her dentist and ask if they could give her a prescription for a nerve pill. However, her dentist did not respond as my did. She was told, rather rudely, "If you don't like needles, then shut your eyes." This rudeness instantly told her that she needed to find another dentist. Therefore, she called all the dentists listed in the yellow pages. Of all 36 dentists listed, only 2 (one being my dentist) offered to write her a prescription for one nerve pill to take an hour before the appointment.

I was rather surprised to learn this. Why would they refuse to write a prescription for one pill? What is the advantages and disadvantages of patients receiving a nerve pill before their first ever dental visit? I decided to poll a total of 38 people, mostly friends, co-workers, and family. The results were rather interesting. Here is two of the polls to give you an idea of what questions were asked.

Age: 35 Sex: Female

Age at First Dental Visit: 24 years

Did you receive any medication for nerves before the procedure? No

If No, Do you feel you would have benefited more if you had received any? VERY MUCH SO!

What type of procedure did you have? Tooth taken out (This was actually a wisdom tooth extraction.)

Since your first visit how many other times have you been to a dentist since? 2, to get my other (wisdom) teeth pulled, I only go when It gets bad enough that I have to.

Do you have dental insurance? Yes

Considering your experience with Dentists, would you say that you view dental visits as a pleasant or unpleasant experience? I waited and suffered with two bad teeth for 3 years before I went to have them pulled and then I only went because it had got so bad that I couldn't sleep. I guess you could say I find it to be very unpleasant.

Age: 46 Sex: Female

Age at First Dental Visit: 19, I think

Did you receive any medication for nerves before the procedure? Yes

If No, Do you feel you would have benefited more if you had received any? N/A

What type of procedure did you have? 3 Cavity Fillings

Since your first visit how many other times have you been to a dentist since? Too many to count

Do you have dental insurance? Yes

Considering your experience with Dentists, would you say that you view dental visits as a pleasant or unpleasant experience? I'm not eager to go, but its not unpleasant. I just go and get what I have to get done.

As the two above polls demonstrate, most of the answers I got showed a pattern. Most that did not receive nerve pills listed their experiences as unpleasant and claimed lower amounts of dental visits after their first. While the ones who did receive a nerve pill seemed to have no problem going to to the dentist and even go on a regular basis. Perhaps the intense fear of that first visit was enough to install a life long hatred of dental offices.