Anyone remember the old health board dentists that they used to send us to as schoolkids. They’re the reason I avoid the dentist. Bloody terrorists

I think for alot of people it’s a factor that they don’t want to go in the first place, due to a “fear” or just general dislike of the dentist. And then when they factor in the cost it just reinforces the thought in their mind that there is no need to go! Same applies for doctors really, people are waiting longer and longer before visiting the doctor to get a prescription. Paying €50 for a 5 minute consult when you need antibiotics for an infection which you basically diagnosed yourself is madness!

Its def cost for me, don’t fear dentists or doctors.

I’ve often left it until the pain is unbearable completely due to costs. Lost a tooth due to infection because of cost.

Cost is a definite , as with doctor,s dentist,s getting prescription,s

Don’t go due to the cost.
The only reason. Crazy prices around my home town. Unaffordable for many.

I didn’t go for years mainly due to the cost and fear of what following procedures may cost but I finally bit the bullet and went to see my dentist and according to him, due to teeth grinding, I may have had major problems (and expenses) if I had put off the appointment any longer. So I for one will never put off a visit again

Just remember we have nothing to fear but fear itself

… and pain, unbelievably unbearable piercing pain.

Absolutely terrified since I was at school and had was ‘compelled’ to go . Looking back we were probably treated by trainees but we never knew. Used to be be awake for nights before hand worrying and it still causes me extreme anxiety to visit or even to think about visiting a dentist ! Definitely not a happy memory of childhood

After years of fear, and finally finding a good dentist, and being in my 30′s, and several times (even in my 30′s) of crying in his chair with fear, I won’t say I’ve beaten my fear, but I don’t cry anymore!! Must say, he is a very patient Dentist also. After pulling of three wisdom teeth, and neglect due to fear, I now go…unwillingly….when I have too. Twice a year for cleaning….job done. I still panic like hell going in, but I know whats in store….I blame the butchers our parents called Dentist. I remember, as a child, one Dentist telling me to ‘shut up for Christ sake, and do as your told’. Now, I was hanging off rafters or anything, I was just whimpering a bit….my current Dentist says, even though I’m a nervous patient, I’m a model one, cos I freeze in the chair with fear!!

It’s def the cost been to dentist recently and got approx 4 things done and so far it’s cost €350 and from his assessment I need €650 more at least. I’m seriously thinking about going on a “dental” holiday to So much cheaper in eastern Europe for example

I go regularly but then I like Budapest.

When they get real with their fees, I’ll stop going to Belfast.

I don’t go for the fear, which is irrational I know, but there it is. I had surgery for hernia , which was painful, even had a vasectomy which was no joke too – yet dentist scares the be jayzuz out of me. Go figure.
I also know because I haven’t been for a while, he’s going to go mad and I’ll need a second job to pay for it all

I had a bad incident with a Dentist and refused to go back. as someone who went every 6 months without fail it wasn’t a decision taken lightly. I then found smiles clinic but the cost is delaying me. Finally after 8yrs I’ve bitten the bullet and gone. I now have a tight budget for Christmas but it had to be done!

It’s ok everyone… there’s a dentist in Sutton who likes to come on here and complain how ordinary people are overpaid. I’m sure he must be the cheapest in the country and everyone can easily afford his bargain prices.

Where’s the “I go even when I don’t have to because I like the pain” option?

Got a root canal done a year and a half ago, altogether cost at least 1200 and its still not finished. I’ve got a tempory filling there now but need at least another 1000 to get it finished. Cant go cause I just don’t have the money. I’m terrified of my tooth cracking as a result but I don’t have much choice!

Used to be the fear, don’t know how they ever managed to carry out any treatment with all of the snot, tears and shakes. I always end up feeling really sorry for them having to put up with me. Having iv sedation for the past decade or so (for dental visits) but now it’s the cost that puts me off.

Been once in around 15 years too. Partly due to cost partly just forget and partly because I try to look after my own teeth. Went to dentist two months ago, got a bit of a clean, told my teeth are great; two fillings at 53 years old. Will see the dentist again when 70 if alive!

Have spent €17,000 over the past two years and now I’m only GORGEOUS. Had some set of Delph to start with.

cost for me too . I look after the smile teeth but any that can’t be seen are out on first complaint !!

Don’t fear the dentist just he’s incredibly boring

got all my teeth done a few years ago in Budapest. 5 times cheaper.

I was lucky to find a great dentist a couple of months ago so Im lucky.

65 quid twice a year isn’t too much to pay if you remember that a significant fraction of heart problems arise from bacterial gum infections

I’ve been once in sixteen years, to have an excess tooth removed. They gave me a long list of things I needed done , then an equally long list of charges, I haven’t been back.

Its the fear for me n I was un lucky enough to go to a dentist that didnt understand my worries and ended up slamming down the mirror out of fustration! I havent been to the dentist since then even though im in agony at the moment with a wisdom tooth!

Can you change the picture. It’s making me sick. I am scared sh1tless of them. Bad experiences as a child.

I don’t go to the dentist because your earth dentists don’t know enough about my anatomy to treat me.

Just been. But it’s free in Germany. And I find it very relaxing getting them cleaned. Don’t understand all these liver Lillie’s being scared.

I’m a 6″1, 14st man in my 30s, no stranger to pain from sport work etc. I’ve been twice since I left school, both times in severe agony. Sadists, the lot of em

My local dentist has a great gadget – probably invented by the CIA – where he puts an electrode on the tooth and the other one on my finger and gradually increases the power until I tell him the level at which it is painful. He then rubs the area with an appropriate goo and when numb injects with the appropriate deadener. There is absolutely no pain anymore. And I’m speaking as a victim of serious drillers and jabbers in the past.
I go to Budapest for any cosmetic and major work such as would be carried out by an orthodontist in Ireland but for regular servicing I go to the dentist.

root canal done yesterday in the north 371euro .. the price was more painful then the treatment …

I didn’t for an awful long time, I think it was over a decade anyway. But I went about two and half years ago and all I needed was a little filling and a good clean. I have gone six times since and it’s always been very straight forward. I’m glad I got over the fear, teeth are so important.

I have never been to a Dentist in my life, I’ve alway took good care of my teeth and they’re all straight (thank God) and never got a tooth ache. And to add to that I haven’t been to a Doctor in over 10 years. Am I lucky, I don’t know but I always eat healthy and look after my health

A dental checkup is free if you pay PRSI, I went a few weeks ago, they give a form to send off and it’s taken care of, only if you have enough PRSI accrued though. Everyone gets one a year.

Haha peace

Fear of the dentist and lately fear of his prices. Spent 1500e this year on my sons tooth and that’s not including travel costs between 2 different dentists for him. He needs braces now in top of that. Last week alone I spent 130 between consultation And an X-ray and the bones of 800e to go on a root canal next week!!! Thank god my dentist is understanding and I pay him weekly.

Got braces in 2 years ago. For the purpose of closing a gap on my front teeth…. In fact I ended up with a bigger gap now :( and no more funds to get gap down :( I feel completely let down as I spent almost €4000 on braces and now my teeth look worse than then they were :( any one any advise on anything I can do about this ???

I usen’t to go because of the fear.

Now I’m fine.

Pure brick myself when someone mentions the dentist.

What “other” reasons are there?

At my last check up(a month ago), I was told I needed a big (molar) filling replaced. It’ll cost €90. I just don’t have the money to pay for it. Will have to save to get it done.