Dental checks crucial but some need to muster up courage to go

PETALING JAYA: Student Kevin Tan recalled his last visit to the dentist – some five years ago.

“I just don’t like going to the dentist. Some dentists also charge a lot,” said the 22-year-old.

Account executive James Lee, 29, confessed to not having a dental check-up since his primary school days.

“I was never really educated on the importance of regular check-ups, but I haven’t had any serious problem with my teeth so far,” he said, adding that he also did not floss or use mouthwash.

Content writer Aisyah Nabilah Suwardi, 28, said she found it “frightening” to visit the dentist.

“I had bad experiences during dental check-ups in school.

“Each time, I would get called up to do scaling, which I found unpleasant,” she said.

She recalled a visit to the dentist in 2017 when she had a serious gum infection.

“After that incident, I made sure to brush my teeth properly and frequently,” she said, but maintained that she would only go to the dentist “if the pain is unbearable”.

An engineer who wanted to be known as K. Lee said he was traumatised as a child when the dentist did not apply enough numbing agent during an extraction.

“These days, I need heavy sedation to deal with the anxiety of a dental visit,” he added.

Student Andrew Teh, 23, said he previously did not make time to go for regular dental check-ups, until he saw how a plaque build-up caused his gums to bleed.

“I would rather not risk my oral health and spend RM100 to get my teeth cleaned,” he said.

He also said his girlfriend was pressured into forking out more than expected when the dentist pushed her for additional procedures.