Dental Fears Research Clinic

You don’t have to have dental fears to come here!
This place is a miracle! I’ve been a patient here for 15 years now — they almost wouldn’t take me at first because technically I don’t have dental fears, I’m just almost impossible to get numb, and have had such bad prior experiences with non-​anesthetized work I’d have a panic attack from thinking about the mouth problems I needed to get fixed. And I had some bad ones.
Dr. Milgrom, the director, is phenomenal, and Dr. Aw is also incredible. All their staff — psychologists, hygienists, assistants, student observers, Sue in the office — everyone is focused on doing whatever they can so you’re comfortable with being there and having your needs taken care of at the pace that works for you. The work is absolutely top quality — they don’t stop short of what you might need, but they also don’t pressure you for work that you don’t need or really won’t benefit from. The dentists & hygienists discuss possible options with you, give their recommendations, and definitely listen to your input. They’re totally professional but also human and friendly, and take a team approach to your care so you’re not limited to just 1 provider if you develop a problem.
They do have limited hours, Tuesdays through Thursdays, but calls or e-​mails outside of then are always answered promptly, even if it’s not for an emergency. I once sent a routine e-​mail on the Saturday of a 3-​day weekend because I lost a filling from an otherwise stable (and not hurting) tooth, and was contacted back within 10 minutes. They’re not a preferred provider on the dental plan that I’m insured with, so it costs me a little more to come here, but I don’t care because I know they can get me numb. I’ve referred family, friends and co-​workers here knowing they would receive the same level of care that I do. This clinic and its people are truly fantastic!

This place is a life saver; I may be exaggerating a bit, but at the very least it’s a pain and suffering saver!
No fear is too big, no fear is too specific. It’s definitely worth giving them a try before living another day in fear of ending up with something serious!
You’ll sit down and talk with a psychologist before you end up in the chair, and they work with you on how to make things work best for you. (I get to hold the spit-​sucker. I think I could get through without this «luxury» but being comfortable in that way makes everything else easier to bare!)
Give them a try; do you really have anything to loose?