You nailed it with the Highlights magazine and the fish tank—those were the big “perks” back in my day. I honestly think cartoons are a huge step up. I used to dread the dentist, and I’m still not a fan of all those noises. It’s funny how something as simple as a show can totally change the vibe for kids. Makes me wonder why they don’t offer distractions for us grownups, too... I’d take a little “Cheers” marathon over staring at the ceiling any day.
Honestly, I’d love to have anything to watch besides those ceiling tiles and the weird light in my face. I get what you mean—cartoons totally change the whole mood for kids, but why do adults get stuck with nothing? Has anyone actually had a dentist offer headphones or a show? I’d settle for a podcast or even some music during those longer appointments. Wonder if it’d make the whole braces tightening thing less awkward...
I’ve actually wondered about this too, but honestly, I’m not sure I’d want a show or music during my appointments. I get super anxious at the dentist, and sometimes having extra noise just makes it worse for me—like, I start worrying I won’t hear what they’re saying or I’ll miss an important instruction. One time, a hygienist did offer me headphones with music, and I tried it, but then I got all paranoid about not being able to hear the suction thing or when they wanted me to rinse.
What’s helped me more is just asking them to walk me through what’s happening step by step. It’s not exactly entertaining, but knowing what’s coming next somehow makes it feel less unpredictable. Maybe it’s just a control thing? I totally get why people would want distractions though. For me, though, sometimes the silence (well, as silent as a dentist’s office gets) is less stressful than trying to tune out with music or a podcast. Guess everyone’s wired a little differently...
I totally get what you mean about needing to hear everything. I’ve tried the TV thing at the dentist, but honestly, I got anxious about missing instructions too. Plus, half the time, I’m thinking about how much this visit is going to cost me, so distractions just don’t really work anyway. Asking for step-by-step explanations makes me feel a bit more in control, and it doesn’t cost anything extra. Do you ever find that talking about prices or insurance with the staff helps with the nerves, or does it just make it worse?
