Hate how dentist makes small talk while I'm on the chair.?

Question

Okay, I am going to the dentist in about an hour and I had to have this particular one because the man I prefer is booked out. This dentist however makes a lot of small talk, asking me about college and my family etc etc and I find it makes my anxiety worse and I just want him to get on with the job rather than probing into my life. Would it be rude to ask him not to? And how could I do this politely?

I would actually much rather the dentist take no interest in me and say nothing lol and no they don't have sunglasses or anything flash to distract, I once went to a dentist with a computer screen showing different scenes which was good, but this one doesnt.

Thanks for the advice, I know I'm prob a little rare in that I don't like talking about myself to the dentist. But I'm the sort of person who hates things that are superficial and pointless and so when hes talking I'm thinking "oh for crying out loud you don't care and I don't care so why the hell do you bother". The point of the dentist is to get a check-up not a chat session.

Answer 1

most dentist will talk to you in an attempt to make you feel comfortable. You probably feel that you should be responding to his "one way conversation" while he is doing what he does best--for you. This of course drives up your anxiety because your not able to do what you do best--TALK--so perhaps you should sit back--half listen--and understand that it is to your advantage to make the doctor feel as comfortable as possible while doing his job. ouch!!! good luck

Answer 2

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Answer 3

So, you feel the dentist is making small talk and doesn't really care, and it makes your anxiety worse....and is probing into your life when it's really none of his business?? LOL

Guess what? This guy is doing what he's supposed to do, and not treating you like 'a number'...

If you're that unhappy with this guy, then why on earth did you schedule your appointment with him? Your 'regular' dentist may be booked, but you could have been put on a 'Call' list if he had a cancellation, or just waited for his next available opening...

Do you have the same feelings when you're in the grocery store/dept store when the sales associates are ringing you up/checking you out? Probably not...

Let it go~ it was your choice to schedule with him, he's doing his job, and you're having your necessary dental treatment taken care of.

Schedule your next appointment, even if it's for six months from now, before you leave the office... and schedule it with the dentist you prefer. There will be no hard feelings, and eveyone will be happy.... including the guy that's doing his job.

Answer 4

I hate the dentist. I am so afraid of the pain.
When a dentist talks to me, it seems to relax me because I have to think of an answer, even if I am unable to answer out loud because my jaw is clamped open as far as it can be.
In your case, just tell the dentist as soon as he enters the room that you are not comfortable being here and that him talking to you makes you too anxious to relax. If you would be so kind as to not ask me personal questions and just tell me what I need to know about what you are doing, I would appreciate it so much.

Answer 5

Before he starts to work on you, you could just tell him that it makes you uncomfortable to talk while having your mouth worked on. He is a dentist, not a shrink, so he should just go along with you ;). Or you could tell him you are uncomfortable talking while being worked on, but if he wanted to tell you a story, that would be fine. This also distracts him from the requirement that he not talk small talk. He will either not talk to you or he has to tell the story, so if he needs to talk, he can tell the story.

Answer 6

As a hygienist I have people that don't want to chit-chat, the key is to recognize these types of people. I am a very open, chatty person, and 95% of my patients like that I talk to them. It makes people feel good that you remember their family names, or that they just had surgery, and you ask how they are feeling. The one's that don't want to chat, have short answers to my questions about their state of dental health. Example, Mr. Jones do you have anything hurting today? No. Is there anything you would like to change in your mouth? No. Good dental professionals can pick up on who wants to chat and who does not. It does not bother me in the least if someone does not want to chat, however I can sense that long before they ever have to say anything to me about not talking. For the most part people like that we are interested in them, and their lives outside the dental office. I have had many, many patients tell me thank you for making me laugh, I forgot to be nervous. I crack jokes, and try to ease the atmosphere of a nervous patient. However I also know when to be serious. The i-pod or CD player is a good idea. We provide them to our patients if they don't want to deal with the noises of the dental procedures, whether it be the drill or us. And contrary to popular belief we don't expect you to answer a question if we have our hands in your mouth. I personally don't want my fingers, which are my lively-hood, bitten off.

Answer 7

Personally I prefer small talk. I'd hate to be completely ignore, I'd feel really intimidated. I love my dentist but it does get a bit annoying when he asks me questions while he's looking in my mouth, as it's quite hard to answer without biting his hand.

Answer 8

hmm.. Tough. Tell him that you have some anxiety issues and you would prefer to listen to your ipod or something. I hate how dentists try to talk to you while your mouth is open. It's really hard to talk with crap in your mouth! Also, if you would be interested, I have really bad anxiety issues with dentistry too and I ask my doctor to write me a prescription for a single xanax to help.

Answer 9

Great question that makes me laugh! My dentist is a brilliant, well educated man. I am a scientist, and he asks me to explain complex theories of physics when my mouth is full of hardware. I pretend that I am Demosthenes practicing oration with pebbles in my mouth, hoping to claim my lost fortune. I try to be the most brilliant, articulate philosopher in the history of the world. I love to watch his eyes cross while I am yaking away with no enunciation. It is my secret joke on my dentist.

May I suggest that you fight fire with fire? Get the upper hand with underhanded humor.

Answer 10

I think it is a very good point. I'd suggest saying it just the way you said it to us. "I have a lot of anxiety about being here and what we be best for me is if we could not talk during the proceedure." Remeber you are paying HIM to get the work done, so they will listen. Also, so many people have dental anxiety I'm sure they'd understand.