Re: Panic Attacks At Dentist
As someone who TAKES impressions, I promise you, it does NOT happen often than people v*. In the 5 1/2 years I've been at it, I think I've seen actual v* maybe 4 or 5 times. People gag often, but gagging does NOT Always lead to v*. . . especially in an emet. If you are nervous, and have to get an impression I have tips!
*Keep your head down, chin as close to your chest as you can.
* Lean forward not back. Let the assistant know you gag easily and would like to lean forward. Their arm can follow you. I promise, none of us want to make you v*, and we'll do anything you tell us that will help you feel better. These two will help keep the pressure off of your soft palate and away from your reflex areas.
* If your feet are touching the floor, press them into it as hard as you can. It gives you something else to focus on, AND engages your abdominals in another activity... they can't do both at once. If they won't let you sit to the side or on the edge, bring your knees up and press your feet into the chair that way.
*Breathe through your nose, and swallow if you need to. Alginate won't make you sick if you swallow a bit. It just tastes blah.
*Ask the assistant if she can use warm or even hot water. That sets the impressions WAY faster.
*There's always the numbing spray, but I never found it to make a difference, and it takes a while to wear off, sometimes making an anxious person more anxious.
If it's any consolation and you do V*, I've noticed that even for the most upset kids the whole experience (From start, through trouble, to two complete impressions) is less than 5 minutes. It's not like feeling ill for hours. . . it's all done and dusted rather quickly.
This is all coming from an Emet ortho tech who actually personally enjoys getting impressions! LOL.
-Jenni
"Look for love and evidence that you're worth keeping." PJ