Fighting the fears and finding freedom
Things became so bad for Robert because of failing teeth and chronic gum disease, his confidence hit rock bottom. Unable any longer to socialise freely because he felt “ashamed of his teeth”, he gradually withdrew into a world devoid of smiles and spontaneous laughter.
“I was in a really bad place. I knew I needed help but was far too afraid to ask for it.” Deeply rooted childhood fears after a traumatic dental experience had slowly taken their toll.
A radio advertising testimonial from North Street Dental Practice offered Robert a glimmer of hope, but just getting to the first appointment was Herculean.
In his own words, Robert “has his life back” all thanks to three talented clinicians who patiently listened to his story, steadily quelled his haunting fears and replaced them with assurances of what clever, modern dentistry could deliver.
Nearly 17 million in the UK undergo “some apprehension” before seeing the dentist, says the British Dental Association (BDA). “Dentophobia is a very common thing that we see all too regularly,” adds Steven Burchell, Practice Principal GDC 108353 (UK) Dip CDT RCS (Eng).
With the invaluable, combined skills of Dr Owain Rees Clinical Lead GDC 61576 (UK) BDS, DGDP (UK), Dip Imp Dent (UCL) and Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Nick Crombie FRCA FIMC RCSEd, Robert is now living proof that even the most challenging dental phobia cases can be resolved.
“I simply could not have done this [the treatment] without the skilful ongoing support of everyone at North Street.
“Just the way I was dealt with was really good from the word ‘go’. Everyone was so supportive, so understanding and that’s what I needed. I have bags of confidence now, I’m eating anything I want to – it’s so, so good to be able to do it. I’ve just been on holiday for a week and just to be able to enjoy nice meals and to have no worries of teeth falling out or breaking off . . .
“The whole process, the confidence I got from everyone here, just talking problems through, really nice and it all built me up in blocks to have the treatment done. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve started my life again. Really,” says Robert.
With some 30 years’ experience placing dental implants, Owain has a background working in hospital oral surgery.
Nick was previously the medical director of Midlands Air Ambulance and had experience as an air ambulance doctor. He now also is a consultant anaesthetist at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, working on complex head and neck surgery and major trauma cases and is involved in pre-hospital medicine research.
