Being in the dentist chair is not my favourite place. I think many would agree. I recognise the importance of having a healthy set of teeth and appreciate the many benefits. However much I review these reasons it does not help with the anxiety.
Over the years I have developed a system of what I call distraction and abstract thought to help me cope with the anxiety. Let me explain.
While having a filling, I noticed a fly on the ceiling, just to the right of the dentist’s head. If I were that fly what would my view of proceedings look like. This is what I call abstract thinking. Having studied Biology I remember flies have a compound eye that is made up of lots of individual lenses. I then started to imagine an image made up of lots of images rather like a patchwork quilt. What a great project! Take a load of images of the same scene from different angles with different lenses and then put them together.
Then the high whine of the dentist‘s drill brought me back to reality!
The protective goggles worn by the dentist then became the subject of my attention. Now the aspect of distraction . Rather like a fisheye lens I could see the room behind me stretched out in its distorted glory.
What another great photographic project. Using a wide angle lens to take close up photo’s of everyday objects.
Before I knew it the visit had finished and I was filled with fresh photographic ideas to try. So the next time you have an extraction think of distraction and abstraction.
arhphotographic 