Should you tell a new provider about a bad dental experience?

Yes, tell them. Your new dental provider needs to know. A hard experience in the dental chair can stay with you. It can make you tense before you even arrive. Sharing that with your new dental provider is one of the most helpful things you can do. 

This isn't about reliving something upsetting. It's about giving your dental provider the information they need to care for you well. The answer is clear. Speaking up leads to better care. 

What you'll learn in this article: 

• Dental anxiety is common. You don't need to feel alone or embarrassed about it. 

• Telling your provider what happened helps them plan a visit that works for you. 

• Skipping dental visits because of anxiety can raise your risk of developing dental problems. 

• A complete history, including past experiences, helps your care team give you better care. 

If a past dental experience has made it harder to come back, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider and share your concerns when you book. Giving your care team a heads-up can help them prepare for a visit that feels more comfortable. 

Why sharing helps 

Your dental provider can't guess what you've been through. When you share what happened, they can plan around it. They can adjust how they speak to you, how they explain each step and how they pace the visit. 

The American Dental Association (ADA) says your dental team is better able to treat you when they know your needs. It recommends telling them about your anxiety and sharing bad dental experiences from the past.¹ Your past experiences are useful information that can help your dental provider understand what you need. 

What should you share? 

You don't need a written report. Just tell your dental provider what you remember. Here are some things worth mentioning. 

What happened: Did a procedure run longer than you expected? Did something feel sharper than you were told it would? Did you feel rushed or unheard? A brief summary helps. 

What bothers you most now: Some people are uneasy with needles. Others don't like it when they can't see what's happening. Some feel closed in when tools are near their face. Name what you can. Even a partial picture helps. 

How your body reacts: Do your hands shake? Does your heart race? Do you feel sick to your stomach before a visit? These are real physical responses. Your dental provider needs to know about them. 

How anxious you feel going in: A simple scale helps. Try saying "I'm about a 9 out of 10 nervous." Even that one line tells your provider a lot. 

How your dental provider should respond 

Your dental provider should take your concerns seriously and give you space to explain what made past visits difficult. They may ask questions to better understand what helps you feel more comfortable. 

During your visit, your dental provider can explain each step before it happens and agree on a signal you can use if you need a break. If you feel that your concerns are being dismissed, it may be a sign that the provider is not the right fit for you. 

How should you prepare for the conversation? 

Saying it out loud can feel hard. A few steps can help. 

Write it down first. Jot a few notes on your phone. You'll stay clearer when the moment comes. You can hand it to the front desk or read it yourself. 

Call ahead. You don't have to wait until you're in the chair. Let the front desk know when you schedule. Ask them to add a note so your provider is already prepared. 

Practice saying it once. You don't need the perfect words. "I've had some rough experiences and I get really anxious" is enough. Your provider will take it from there. 

Should you tell a new provider about a bad dental experience? FAQs 

What if I'm embarrassed about how anxious I feel? 

You don't need to be. Your dental provider has heard this before. The ADA says feeling nervous about the dentist is a common experience.¹ Saying "I get very anxious" is not a weakness. It's useful information. The more honest you are, the better your provider can adjust the visit to fit you. 

The ADA recommends sharing past experiences or anxiety when you're choosing a new dental provider.² Make sure your dental provider understands your concerns and answers your questions. 

What if I've been avoiding dental visits for years because of a bad experience? 

You're not alone in this. A hard experience can make it feel easier to stay away. Research has found that dental fear can affect how people use dental care and their oral health.³ That's one reason it's worth getting back into care when you're ready. 

It's not too late to go back. Your dental provider has worked with patients who haven't been in for years. When you schedule your appointment, let the front desk know about your history. Your care team can plan the visit around what you've been through. 

What if I'm not sure exactly what caused my bad experience? 

That's okay. You can say "I'm not sure what happened, but I left feeling really shaken." Your provider can ask a few gentle questions to help you figure it out. Even a vague description gives them something to work with. 

Sources 

¹ American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: “Anxiety.” https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/anxiety 

² American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: “How to Find a Dentist.” https://www.mouthhealthy.org/dental-care/how-to-choose-a-dentist 

³ National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Journal of Dentistry: "Estimated prevalence of dental fear in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33711405/