Hi @lane73. Hold your hands out…I’m tossing you a life line!! You are certainly not alone with your anxiety about dental appointments! I’m the same way and ironically, I was a certified Dental Assistant for 32+ years of my dental career. Loved being on that side of the chair, assisting and helping patients. But I’m one of the worst when sitting still in the chair! My poor boss. 😅

I’m sorry that the dentist you’re working with is so brusque. Having a dentist and staff with a positive chair-side manner can make or break an experience. But since this dentist has advanced knowledge in treating patients using Prolia, that’s important for you. However, you do not have to be intimidated around dentists or doctors. From my personal experience and using one of my mom’s old expressions, I know they ‘put their pants on one leg at a time’…just like the rest of us. So whether you’re timid or brusque yourself, don’t hesitate to ask questions or for information. What you can do to organize your thoughts and not get tongue tied with the doctor is to just jot down what you want to ask. Most dentists/assistants/hygienists truly do want to help you gain a better understanding of your oral health.

Your dentist is trying to help you keep your remaining teeth. By having cleanings every 3 months for a while, this will help reverse the periodontal disease that’s been taking place. The gums and bones will heal and then after that perhaps you’ll be able to return to cleanings every 6 months. You don’t want to lose your teeth and have dentures if possible.

Between now and your appointment on Jan 8, give either the dental office or your primary doctor a call and request a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication such as Lorazepam. It really works well in taking the edge off the appointment. You can also use it when you have your teeth cleaned. Generally the dosage very low and you only need to take one pill an hour before the appointment. However, it may cause a bit of drowsiness for a couple hours so you’ll need a ride to and from your appointments. But it’s much better using the anti-anxiety meds so you are relaxed and don’t walk out with fingernail impressions in the palms of your hands from clenching your fists!

Another helpful idea is take your phone and some Bluetooth earbuds so you can listen to music or podcasts while you’re having your cleaning.
You mentioned being 74, we’re close in age. Do you remember Lamaze for childbirth and focusing on a picture or hole in a ceiling tile…concentrate on breathing? That’s a simple fall-back for distraction. But for your level of anxiety right now, having an anti-anxiety med is a really easy route to take! It’s not out of the ordinary for a dentist to prescribe this for dental anxiety!

Have you ever used an anti-anxiety med?