"I haven't been to the dentist for more than ten years. When I was in high school, I had one procedure that I will never forget. They didn't give me anything for the pain. All I remember is the light above my head, the pain and that feeling of never wanting to go back."
It sounds rough and it was
And we hear many such stories. Many people today put off going to the dentist because they carry trauma from the past. Procedures in primary or secondary school, without anaesthesia, without explanation, often in a hurry, have left their mark.
Why was it really different in the past?
At the time, there were several reasons why dental procedures were uncomfortable or painful:
- Anaesthetics were not routine, sometimes not offered or not available.
- Not enough time for each patient because the system was overloaded. This is still the case in concessionary practices.
- Less understanding of fear and emotions. Dentistry was more rigorous, less personal.
And sometimes it was also a lack of compassion or patience.
Today it is different.
What is different today?
Dentistry has changed a lot in recent years. Technology, materials and, most importantly, the approach to the patient. Today:
- We use local anaesthesia for almost all procedures.
- We always explain what we are going to do before we start.
- We have a modern, quiet dental chair that is comfortable and without that "cold feeling".
- Today, drills are quieter, faster and more precise, which means less discomfort and shorter interventions.
- We have an intraoral camera and digital X-rays, which means we can see more than we used to.
Why are we writing this?
Because we see how many people come to us with hardships from the past. And how many end up saying, "If I had known it was like this, I would have come sooner."
If you have had pain in the past, there is nothing wrong with you. But now it's different. And your fear is completely understandable. It just doesn't need to stop you anymore.
At Dentalix, we promise to welcome you with patience, respect, time and understanding. We will never judge you or be patronising. Even if you haven't been to the dentist for a long time or if you don't brush your teeth perfectly every day.
