Totally get where you're coming from. I've had my fair share of dental work (bone graft included), and honestly, dentists who check in regularly make a huge difference. But don't worry too much about seeming overly cautious—most patients appreciate the extra care. Speaking from experience, I'd much rather have a dentist ask one too many times if I'm okay than ignore my sweaty palms and tense shoulders, haha. Keep trusting your instincts; sounds like you're doing great.
Couldn't agree more about dentists checking in regularly—makes all the difference, especially during something major like a bone graft. Had mine done a couple years back, and my dentist was great technically, but not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type. You know what I mean? I remember lying there gripping the armrest, trying to stay calm, and wishing he'd just pause for a sec to ask how I was holding up...
Do you guys think it's worth bringing this up directly with your dentist beforehand? I've been debating that myself lately since I'm due for another procedure soon. Feels a bit awkward mentioning my nerves upfront, but maybe it'd help both of us relax a bit. Curious if anyone else has tried it and noticed a difference.
"Feels a bit awkward mentioning my nerves upfront, but maybe it'd help both of us relax a bit."
Totally get where you're coming from on this. I had a similar experience when I needed some dental work done last year. I'm usually pretty budget-conscious, so I went with someone who was affordable and technically solid, but like you said—not exactly warm and fuzzy. Before my second appointment, I decided to just casually mention that I tend to get anxious during procedures. Honestly, it felt a little awkward at first, but it turned out to be worth it.
My dentist actually appreciated the heads-up and made an effort to check in more often during the procedure. He didn't suddenly become Mr. Comforting or anything, but those quick pauses and simple "doing okay?" moments really helped ease my nerves. It wasn't a huge change, but enough to make me feel more relaxed overall.
I'd say it's definitely worth bringing up—just keep it casual and brief. Most dentists probably appreciate knowing how their patients feel so they can adjust accordingly... even if they're not naturally chatty or comforting types.
Yeah, mentioning nerves upfront can feel a bit awkward, but honestly, it's usually worth it. I had a similar thing happen when I went in for a minor surgery last year. The surgeon was super skilled but pretty reserved—definitely not the hand-holding type. When I casually mentioned feeling nervous, he didn't suddenly turn into Mr. Empathy either, but he did slow down a bit and explained each step clearly as we went along. Made a bigger difference than you'd think...
Totally agree with you on this one. It's funny how even the smallest acknowledgment from a doc can shift the whole experience. I've noticed this a lot in dental procedures too—especially something like bone grafting, where patients often come in pretty anxious. Even if the dentist or surgeon isn't naturally warm and fuzzy, just slowing down and explaining what's happening step-by-step can really ease tension.
I'm curious though, did your surgeon ask you directly about your comfort level during the procedure, or was it more of a subtle shift after you mentioned nerves? In my experience, some professionals are great at picking up on cues and adjusting their approach without making a big deal out of it. Others...well, they might need a bit more prompting.
I've also found that sometimes patients hesitate to speak up because they don't want to seem overly anxious or needy. But honestly, as someone who's been on both sides of the chair, I think it's always better to say something upfront. Even if the doc doesn't suddenly become chatty or comforting (some personalities just aren't wired that way), they'll usually at least slow down or clarify things more carefully.
One thing I've started doing is proactively checking in with patients throughout procedures—asking directly if they're comfortable or if they need me to pause for a moment. It seems to help people feel more in control and less hesitant about speaking up later if something feels off.
Did anyone else notice whether their surgeon or dentist actively checked in during procedures, or was it mostly left up to you to speak up first? I'm always interested in hearing how different professionals handle patient anxiety...
