How can I find a dentist for my boyfriend who has no insurance and is terrified of dentists?
Like some others, I had a crippling dental phobia for many years — so I just didn’t go for at least 10 years (maybe 12). What motivated me to change was that I finally had the opportunity to get braces and jaw surgery (which I’d wanted for awhile), but knew that I had to have my teeth in much better shape to move ahead. My first couple of forays into dentists were not great, but not nearly as terrifying as I imagined (largely because I was only in there for cleaning, not drilling – which is the thing that absolutely terrified me). They seemed vaguely impatient and irritated that I had any fear at all, although one at least let me bring a friend to (literally) hold my hand. Finally, I got a recommendation to see another dentist, who is the kindest, loveliest guy on the planet (any L.A. MeFites who need a great dentist, please email me and I’ll give you his info). He asked me specifically what frightened me, which I’d never thought about calmly (in this order, it was pain of getting dri
