I used to HATE going to the dentist. The smell of the place made me sick. (they used the old fashioned film x-rays and not the digital) The smell of developer made me really really ill. The entire office reeks of it. Plus, it's an old house that was converted into a dentist office. All the rooms are teeny and the whole place feels claustrophobic.

I didnt realize it was the smell of the x-ray film developer until I went to my new dentist. She uses digital x-rays, and has all the fancy updated equipment. I go for a teeth cleaning this week, and I'm not feeling the total panic that I normally feel. The teeth cleaning equipment is ultrasonic. Last december I had the first teeth cleaning that didnt hurt or freak me out.

I still do NOT like having fillings worked on. I about bolted off the chair last March when my dentist was replacing some fillings with composite. But at least the other stuff doesnt seem as bad anymore. Plus, my current dentist isnt a mean bully like the old one was.

I got my mom to switch to my new dentist. The old place was definately NOT handicap accessible. When my mom had her knee surgeries done, and had to go to the dentist for a filling or cap that came loose, I couldnt hardly get her into the building. (stairs everywhere) The new place is totally accessible, and no stairs. The exam rooms are huge with big windows and dentist and the tech both seem to know how to deal with older people who may be developing dementia or alzheimers (my mom is starting to show signs)