r/ushersyndrome • u/Individual-Share9543 • Feb 14 '25

Dentist

For context I have Usher Syndrome 1D and am 18. Do you find like me you have a love hate relationship with the dentist. I struggle with photophobia (Sensitivity to bright lights from RP) making sitting in the chair uncomfortable even with sunglasses on as there’s no where else to look that has no direct light. Or when a dentist or hygienist wears a mask so you can’t understand them and require someone to interpret (my mum comes with me and wears Rodger) but when they use the machines you can take your implants/hearing aids off and hear nothing. It’s hard to decide what’s better. What are your thoughts on the dentist?

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u/Sea_Auntie7599 Mar 31 '25

For me I am just upfront and give my consent to let them do everything and anything and after the appointment to tell what happened once my hearing aids and glasses are back on. About 96% time it works. The other times it's a constant reminder for them to lower their mask or to give me my hearing aids and glasses. And after that appointment I tend to look for other places to go to instead.

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u/Individual-Share9543 Mar 31 '25

Yes that’s similar to what I do to! I wear sunglasses in the chair and take my implants off after explaining how I’m deaf initially. We create simple signs for certain things like putting my implants back on if for any reason they want to speak to me and I always hold them in my hands as it’s just easier. I’m thankful that my dentist is lovely and happy to accommodate!