A SAFE CHAIR: FROM AVOIDANCE TO AWARENESS

Like many people in India, Meenakshi grew up afraid of the dentist.

 Not because of pain, but because of how dental visits felt.

Her mother had always avoided dentists unless there was severe trouble. Regular checkups weren’t part of family routine. Dental visits usually meant discomfort, rushed treatment, and a lot of scolding.

When Meenakshi finally started visiting a dentist as a teenager, the experience only reinforced her fear. She was lectured about the condition of her teeth. No one explained why the problems had occurred or how they could be prevented.

She walked out feeling embarrassed, not educated.

So she stopped going.

For years, Meenakshi avoided dental checkups. Like many people, she believed a simple rule:

 If there’s no pain, there’s no problem.

But dental issues don’t work that way.

Slowly, cavities deepened, gums weakened, and sensitivity increased. By the time discomfort became noticeable, the damage was already advanced.

Her family noticed. Her husband, in particular, kept encouraging her to get checked. Not because of appearance, but because daily discomfort had become normal for her.

Finally, Meenakshi decided to give dental care one more chance.

This time, the experience was different.

Instead of lectures, the dentist explained things clearly and calmly. She learned that some people are naturally more prone to tooth decay and gum problems. She learned that early cavities don’t cause pain, which is why regular checkups matter.

Most importantly, she wasn’t blamed for the years she stayed away.

The focus was simple:

 What’s the current situation?

 What can be saved?

 How can future problems be prevented?

That approach changed everything.

Today, Meenakshi believes something many people need to hear:

 Dental care works best when it’s based on understanding, not fear.

She now encourages others not to delay visits out of embarrassment or anxiety.

“No matter how long you’ve avoided the dentist,” she says, “there are clinics that will treat you with respect. Your teeth deserve care, not judgment.”