Guest Blog: How Bamboo and I helped colleague overcome Dental Phobia
Nina Narbeth, a 56 year old florist from Bridgend has kindly written us a guest blog about how her employee overcome Dental Phobia with a little help from Bamboo Dental. Ill start by introducing myself. My name is Nina, and when I'm not walking my dog or slaving over my other half, I'm a florist in Bridgend. In my line of work, a friendly smile is everything. People give flowers to make others feel things. Emotions. Whether its comfort over a lost one, or joy at a wedding or an anniversary, its my job to help others pick the right bunch to convey that emotion. I feel theres a certain rapport I have to build with my customers. As true of all customer service, a smile will be the first thing my customers notice, and its essential that customers find both me and my staff friendly. When people pop by the florist to drop in their CV, I may as well rip them up because for me, a friendly smile and a likeable personality trump any fancy qualifications. It was much to my joy then when Laurel started on work experience. She was a beautiful young girl, still in college, who got on well with my team and had promising potential in flower arranging. There was only one problem she was terribly shy and hid her face when ever she smiled. Before you jump on me she knows Im writing this blog and I have her permission! So I won't get into any trouble!
Fear of the Dentist
Laurel was obviously self-conscious of her smile. Every now and again though, when she wasn't realising, or when she was yawning, I saw her teeth. They were a bit wonky and gappy. It seemed a shame to me that such an attractive young girl would hide her face because of her smile. Many customers commented on her throughout the week, noting how polite but shy she was. It was my intention to offer her a job, but I didn't want to have to hide her in the back room away from the customers! I decided to have a word with her about it as a friend, if not an employer. I sat her down at the end of her work experience and when looking at the photo on her CV, I asked why she always hid her face when she smile. I really don't like my teeth Laurel told me, losing eye contact. She was clearly uncomfortable. I didn't want to pry any further. However, she continued I really want to get them done, but Im petrified of the dentist. I was baffled. Younger people today seem to take care much better of their teeth, because going to the dentist is a much more pleasant experience these days. Its my generation that don't like going to the dentist! She told me she had dental phobia, which I didn't realise was such a big thing! I know I'd rather be sat at home watching the telly than at my dental practice, but I wouldn't stay up awake thinking about my check up. It was that point there that she revealed her dental phobia had meant her not having a check up in five years!
Dental Phobia Treatment in Cardiff
I asked her what exactly it was about a trip to the dentist that filled her up with fear. She told me it had always frightened her as a child - the sharp shiny instruments, the reclining back in the chair, the smell of the practice... They were just a few of the reasons she gave. I understood, but I told her she couldn't risk her health out of fear. She told me there was nothing anyone could tell her she hadn't been told about before. I spent sometime in the evening googling Dental Phobia treatment in Cardiff, and I was surprised with the results. I found one practice in particular that deals with Dental Phobia, and that was Bamboo Dental.The website revealed that anxious patients often have problems with their gums because they don't see the dentist regularly enough to deal with issues before they worsen. I was worried for Laurel, and didn't want her to have to fork out for expensive treatment at a later and inevitable point. I decided I'd print out the information and give it to Laurel the next I saw her. I was scared I was overstepping the line but god knows what was lurking in her mouth!The next time I saw her I gave her the print out and explained that Bamboo's dentists are trained to work with nervous and anxious patients. "They have many techniques to make you feel at ease." I said. "You can even book a consultation in which you don't have anything done, just a chat and a check up." I thought that would be perfect for Laurel. She could talk through her worries with the dentist, and he or she could tell her what the damage was.For me now, the main goal was to get her into the chair and make sure her oral hygiene was acceptable, and if the Bamboo team helped her to overcome her anxieties it would be a big bonus.The response was surprising. Laurel said she would book up for a consultation, and that she knew this was something she would finally have to overcome. A few days later, she was booked in for a consultation with Dr.Dan.
Free Consultation
I bet you're wondering how it went! Well, I received an excitable phone call from Laurel afterwards, saying she'd just had her consultation with Dr. Dan. Although for her a dental experience will never be comfortable and relaxing, she said her time in the chair wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be. Not only had she been slotted in for some fillings and a scrape and polish, she spoke to Dr. Dan about the options of straightening her teeth. I was very proud of her, and like Dr. Dan, reinforced that she should take it a step at a time. I'd felt bad about bringing up her smile initially, but I think finding this local dental practice in Cardiff who deal with nervous patients really helped her. Dental Phobia is a real problem for people like Laurel, but thanks to Bamboo, they are getting the best support and care from dentists working wonders. Thanks Bamboo for helping Laurel - I won't have to hide her in the back room any more! Haha!