11 Amusing Reasons For Canceling Your Dentist Appointment

We’ve recently spent some time surfing the Internet. Turns out, not every patient looks forward to their dental appointments.

We’re shocked too

The level of discomfort that patients experience when imagining a trip to the dentist varies from slightly worried, to mildly anxious, to being frightened to the point of paralysis.

Dental phobia

We classify phobia, of any type, as an intense, unreasonable fear. It’s estimated that between nine and 15 percent of Americans don’t go to the dentist due to their anxiety or fear. That’s literally 30 to 40 million people who’ll deal with gum (periodontal) disease, tooth and mouth pain, broken and cracked teeth, or unsightly teeth.

Options exist for those patients who want to overcome this fear. They may want to consider oral conscious or IV sedation or nitrous oxide (more commonly referred to as laughing gas).

Of course, there are patients who might be avoiding us not as a result of crippling fear. And, it turns out, these patients will come up with some pretty creative excuses for not coming in.

11 Most astounding excuses we’ve heard for canceling your dentist appointment

Here’s a list of the most astounding excuses we’ve heard for canceling your dentist appointment.

1. It seems patients like to blame their dogs, a lot.
2. I have a toothache.
3. I made an appointment with my eyebrow specialist.
4. My windshield wipers don’t work and it might rain. (The forecast for the day was 85 and sunny—not a cloud in sight.)
5. My dog has diarrhea.
6. Squirrels got in my car engine and ate the wires to the battery.
7. I went to jail—just for the day.
8. I dropped my car keys into the sewer.
9. My dog swallowed my car keys.
10. My Guinea pig was giving birth.
11. My fortune teller already told me what you’re going to say.
12. 
    Skipping dental appointments leads to unsightly aesthetic and dangerous health effects including bone loss, disease, infection, and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and cancer.
13. Jokes aside, it’s important to schedule visits every six months. If you’re experiencing fear or anxiety, talk to us—we’re happy to develop solutions together.