Why do dentists always try to start conversations with you?

[Gonzo]

I think I must be weird, but I love the dentist office. To me, it's one of the most relaxing places ever. I get to lie down, close my eyes, let the guy do his thing, and if they drug me and I knock out, I am able to actually get some sleep for once, you know?

Oh, and the conversation does help me, personally. Like the other people have said, it helps people relax.

 

[redblood]

My dentist doesn't do that. He sings to himself quietly instead and talks to the nurse in a vaguely disturbing manner, saying things like: "Dammit, I forgot to buy a disinfection!" and "Hand me the cigarette lighter, please!"

I've learned to ignore it :D

Can we switch dentists? xD I would love someone who doesn't speak to me so I can ignore anything they say haha

 

[Aine]

Can we switch dentists? xD I would love someone who doesn't speak to me so I can ignore anything they say haha

Nah, he's actually good and he does everything for free, so I'd rather not do that :D (To clarify, we do have a free healthcare, but if we want something we don't necessarily need - like white fillings - we need to pay for it and some dentists charge quite a lot. He has always done everything for free for some unfathomable reason :D)

 

[chainedfiction]

... Because they're friendly people... o3o

 

[redblood]

Nah, he's actually good and he does everything for free, so I'd rather not do that :D (To clarify, we do have a free healthcare, but if we want something we don't necessarily need - like white fillings - we need to pay for it and some dentists charge quite a lot. He has always done everything for free for some unfathomable reason :D)

o.O We have free healthcare but dentists costs A LOT even when you really need stuff. (Apparently your teeth doesn't count as healthcare, even though they can lead to a lot of trouble for the whole body if you let a problem be.) You can get help with a certain amount of the cost, but it's still rather expensive xb People under the age of 21 gets it for free though.

 

[Kagayours]

I think I must be weird, but I love the dentist office. To me, it's one of the most relaxing places ever. I get to lie down, close my eyes, let the guy do his thing, and if they drug me and I knock out, I am able to actually get some sleep for once, you know?

Oh, and the conversation does help me, personally. Like the other people have said, it helps people relax.

I never said I really disliked going to the dentist.

I just found it weird how they ask you questions when you can't answer.

 

[Jorick]

The real reasons dentists do this is because they're jerks. They like to screw with people, and this is a fun way to do so.

This is also the rationale behind the ever-popular dentist saying of "you're bleeding because you don't floss." No, I'm bleeding because you just stabbed my gums with a sharp metal instrument, you turd.

Oh, and this is also the reason why dentist waiting rooms always have the shittiest magazines laying around, like years old Reader's Digest. They know waiting is bad enough, but they want to make it even worse for people who come unprepared by offering them only painfully boring ways to pass the time.

Dentists are jerks.

 

[chainedfiction]

The dentists office around here has a fish tank so we can look at fishies while waiting, an xbox console with a few games, puzzles, magazines, and a couple TVs for people pass their time. I don't think they're jerks. :3

 

[Kagayours]

an xbox console with a few games

Holy shit I didn't realize such a waiting room could ever exist.

I mean, you had me sold at fish. But this? This is... since when does anyone do that?

 

[chainedfiction]

Holy shit I didn't realize such a waiting room could ever exist.

I mean, you had me sold at fish. But this? This is... since when does anyone do that?

A dentist family practice clinic.

 

[Thirteen]

My dentist never speaks to me while he's working in my mouth. He does a lot of talking before the procedure, but he's extremely focused while working. Then again, he's a specialist and my Dentinogenesis Imperfecta causes him to be cautious. LOL

 

[Alphakoka]

That's why you learn how to speak with your eyes, doofuses.

 

[Hydronine]

When I was four, a doctor told my mom that it was very likely I was going to have to get jaw surgery when I was a teenager.

Throughout the years, orthodontists tried their damnedest to try and prevent it from coming to that. I have been subjected to quite a few pieces of headgear, braces, odds and ends. I became friends with most of the techs and, due to the growing underbite and UN-FUCKING-HINGING JAW, I was able to give them more than enough room to work, AND I COULD FREAKIN REPLY WHEN THEY ASKED QUESTIONS. Or, if I had trouble and I really wanted to reply, I was on a friendly-enough basis that I'd tap their leg or side so I could have a moment to talk. These people were practically a family to me.

Honestly a lot of the shit hurt, but... they did what they could to make sure I was comfortable. I was afraid of needles, have been since I was very little, and they'd always be very careful and gentle.

;_; I miss them.

But yeah, conversations are to help you be more at ease.

Honestly, there was one time that I was near another person's set up and I was overhearing their exchange and... just...

DENTIST: So, are you still with (Person's girlfriend)?

PERSON: *A GARBLED ATTEMPT AT "I PROPOSED TO HER" OR SOMETHING*

The dentist literally stopped, took the tools out of the person's mouth, and they talked about this for a while. there were congrats and a lot of celebration in that area for a while. I thought it was cute.

 

[Gwazi Magnum]

Dentist conversations are the best.
It leads to awesome DLC and false hope for more Breaking Bad.

In all seriousness though it's probably for what the other's have said, to make you more comfortable.
Though personally my Dentist tends to not to ask questions if tools are in my mouth preventing me, it tends me to more general small talk in those cases.

As for the healthcare some people mentioned?
To my knowledge only the basics are covered by healthcare, anything extra comes out of your own pocket or special work insurance.

 

[AetherDream]

I'd like to think that my dentist may have missed me since our last checkup. If not me, perhaps he missed my teeth. If neither me or my teeth, I imagine that he truly values my opinion on the matters being discussed between gargling, spitting and cringing. It develops that special bond that under duress of a thorough cleaning, truly brings out the most candid side of my personality. So when he asks me, "So, have you been flossing?" And I say, "WHAL, YHAH NAWH JAHRAHY, I AHR VAAAHHRY BASAY!" He knows that I meant to floss and forgives me for not doing so. Ah, such a beautiful friendship.