Angie's List

You know the drill; picking a dentist can be a real pain, and for some people going to the dentist can be like pulling teeth!

A recent Angie's List poll found that 50 percent of their members were sometimes afraid of their dentist. Even if they're not happy with them, many people stick with their dentist to avoid the hassle of finding a new one. Now dentists are among the healthcare categories recently added to Angie's List.

People dread their dentist for a variety of reasons. Whether it be fear of pain or concerns about needles and drills. So Angie's List founder, Angie hicks says when you're on the hunt for a new dentist be up front about your concerns.

"If you're looking for a new dentist and you're uneasy about it, first find someone who will talk through with you your concerns and tell you what's going to happen because fear of the unknown is probably the biggest fear. Also, if you haven't been to the dentist in quite a while let the dentist know that because you might end up needing more work and it could be expensive or a little more uncomfortable than you might like so you could break it up into multiple visits," says Angie.

Angie says making the switch to a new dentist has made a big difference for some Angie's List members. "One of my favorite stories from one of the members was from a woman that just feared going to the dentist, she always had very non pleasant experiences and she found a new dentist who really understood her fear and was able to work with her through the process and she says today she'll never change her dentist," according to Angie.

Angie's List contacted some of our highly rated dentists for advice on how to overcome anxiety associated with a trip to the tooth doctor and on choosing a dentist that's right for you.

Talk to your dentist. If you're nervous, share your concerns and work through them together. Fear of the unknown is often the biggest obstacle for a patient to overcome.

Prioritize the work to be done. If it's been awhile since your last trip, you might need some extra work done. Let your dentist know if it's too much for you emotionally, physically or financially to go through all of the work at once. Your dentist should prioritize your most urgent needs.

Look around and ask questions. Is your dentist a member of the American Dental Association (www.ada.org)? Is your dentist up-to-speed on the latest dental advances? Is the office clean? Are the instruments sanitized? Does your doctor express an interest in your long-term dental health, or are they more interested in selling elective services? You might be afraid of getting a shot, but don't be afraid to ask questions.

Pick a dentist who will accommodate your needs. How accessible is your dentist? Will they call you back personally if you contact the office with a concern? Does the office send out reminder notices when it's time for your checkup? Do they explain fees and payment plans before providing treatment?

You want to be sedated? There are a variety of options available for those too afraid to visit their dentist without a little medical assistance, including oral sedation, intravenous sedation, or the old standby, nitrous oxide - aka, "laughing gas." Check with your primary care physician first to see, if needed, which option would be best for you.

*2,636 Angie's List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Angie's List members, but not the general public.

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