Readers Respond: Why Do You Love Your Dentist?

What do you love about your dentist? Even though 80% of adult Americans admit they have a fear of the dentist, many people -- young and old -- report nothing but positive experiences when receiving dental care.

Share your positive dental stories and let others now why you have a good relationship with your dentist. Your stories may provide a glimmer of hope for people that suffer from dental anxiety caused by prior bad experiences. Knowing there are dentists out there who are committed to providing positive and caring dentistry may encourage those with fear to seek vital dental treatment once again.

Love my dentist? Yuk

Mark Twain, in "Letters From the Earth," tells about taking a friend to the dentist. Seems Friend had an impacted wisdom tooth. Dentist gripped the tooth with a pair of pliers and rocked back and forth. Nothing. To get more leverage, Dentist put his foot on Friend's shoulder and rocked. Nothing. Dentist told Twain to bring Friend back next day. Dentist stayed awake all night inventing a Rube Goldberg gadget involving the principles of the wheel, lever, and inclined plane. Twain brings Friend back next day. Dentist puts contraption on Friend's tooth, spins the wheel and Friend crumples to the foot rest. Twain had to bring Friend home in a pillow case. Seems that tooth had very long roots that wrapped around big toe. When Dentist extracted the tooth, Friend's entire skeleton popped out with it.

—YooHooPaul

Why I Love My Dentist

Because he knows very well his work, solves issues but doesnt over drill in the teeth and he makes a last beautiful finish to the teeth. besides he is very nice and makes sure to avoid causing any pain :))))) That's why its hard to find a substitute for him..

—Guest Tahani

Finding the right dentist

Location location location! My dentist office is on the road I grew up on. I look out the treatment room windows and I see the country road that leads to my home and happy memories. I have to have gas and he uses the numbing gel before he injects. Still at the moment he injects this 51 year old woman is immediately transported back to that tiny frighten eight year old and I stiffen prepared for the pain and worse. My tears begin to slide down my cheeks…

—Guest Conniebluesadie

Love my dentist

I had a dentist whom I loved, and he had a colleague who is now my dentist. The first dentist died of cancer, and in knowing he was ill, made sure all of his patients would meet his hand picked successor by employing him many months before he died. Both dentists were acutely aware of how people are frightened and both "catered to chickens". My present dentist is kind, generous, funny, and above all human. His practice has always been connected to his home and we all have witnessed his children growing up as they have run through the office. His dental technicians, and other workers are loyal and family as well. My dentist is packed with patients, many of them recommended by me. We all love him, and therefore our teeth are all in good shape. The first dentist, who passed on, was also a woodworker and sculptor. He told me he got involved with the arts as a release to the "angst" he picked up from his patients. I own two of his pieces.

—d_nas

I look out the window and see my home

My current Dentist’s office is down the street from where I lived all my life. I can look out the office window and see my daddy’s woods where I played happily as a child. He also uses gas and a numbing solution on the gums prior to injecting. He tries to make it easier for the patient with fears.

—conniebluesadie

Why I love my dentist

My dentist is a very pleasant and gentle man who is committed to helping me take care of my teeth. He has a wonderful staff and I look forward to seeing them when my appointment is due. It doesn't hurt to go to my dentist and I've been with him for more than 20 years.

—playera

TERRIFIC Dentist

How synchronistic! Just this morning finished with step 2 of teeth whitening, which followed several months of long overdue other dental stuff. Root canals included. My darling dentist is theeee best!! The guy and all of his staff, including assistants, tech, reception, are without exception the most caring, competent, terrific people. Mr. Dentist will NOT allow you to have any pain you're not willing to tolerate. It's a "family" feel (including a couple of actual members of his family -- son and nephew --- who are in-training to become full-fledged dentists. They are as competent, professional and gracious as the doc.) Oh, and the root canals, about which we hear such horror stories, were a dental walk in the park -- a piece of cake (!!???)

—Guest myturfnow

My dentist is great

My dentist is in Mexico, in Agua Prieta Sonora border with Douglas, Arizona, he is young and has a lot of experience at his age, he is very humorous, and above all honest, he wouldn't do anything unnecessary and that he wouldn't do to himself, his name is Dr. Cristobal F. Ortiz but he asks you to call him "Cris" he doesn't like to differentiate from the patient.

—Guest Peter Sollery

why i love my dentist

He is humorous, and gentle, and honest. I trust him and know he does what is needed, and is not going to soak me for unneeded work.

—aliceJena

Why I Love My Dentist

After a bad experience with a dentist 20 years ago, I did not see a dentist until an abscess forced me to find one. After much procrastination, I eventually settled on the nearest one - the Scarsdale Practice in Kensington, London, and can only say to all those people with the fear that I had that I have had extractions, root canal treatment, many crowns, bridges, three implants and some veneers, over the course of about 12 months - ALL without a single moment of pain! I could not believe that it could be possible, and am so grateful for this wonderful transformation in my mouth and gum health. I can now eat all the healthy foods that I previously had to forgo for soft and generally nutritionally poor foods. I feel a different person. Thank you Drs Fairbairn and Van der Merwe.

—Guest emma

Compassionate Dentist

My current dentist is licensed to anesthetize if the patient requests it. That gives me peace of mind as my main objective is to avoid pain at all cost. His focus is not only the teeth but the gums too. When he finds inflamed gums that are diseased, he can laser out the bad tissue in order for the gum line to regenerate. His name is Dr. Tentler and he practices in Orland Park, IL. Great sense of humor and he accommodates your needs. His staff is great too. When I need work, he gives me a blanket, headphones to block the drill noise, and I bring my lavender oil for aromatherapy in order to relax. I have also seen quite a few special needs patients there too. He also has patients who fly in from other states just to be seen!

—Guest sandpiper

Why I Love My Dentist

My dentist has modern offices, so I get to watch the view while I get cleaned; a treat since I never get to watch it. He is also always on time so I can go in the morning and not get to work too late, making my dental visits a delight!

—Guest aboutstacey