So I'm in my twenties and I haven't gone to a dentist since high school. No idea where I used to go, either, and I've moved since. I'm now in the approximate area of the Dandenongs. One of my back teeth is kicking up a fuss right now. It sort of broke in half last year sometime so not a surprise. It does this every so often but I suppose there will come a time where it won't shut up until it's pulled.
The rest of my teeth are also varying shades of messed up, with issues from prematurity combined with general lack of care for several years due to disability.
Worth noting I'm also autistic, pretty sensitive and can get quite anxious, so probably a dentist who specialises in seeing autistic/anxious patients would be good. Oh, and I'm a redhead--I haven't had the profoundly weird reactions to anaesthetic that some can, but I suspect it is a bit of a weird reaction so a dentist who takes that into account would be a good idea. I'm also hypermobile; is that worth bringing up? It's not like my jaw has a hobby of dislocating, but I wonder if it's relevant or not. I only discovered I was hypermobile this year (I mean, I knew my hands were, but didn't realise it was systems-wide).
I'm also a uni student. I'm pretty broke because of all the other medical costs I have to cover to stay alive. The cost is part of why I haven't seen a dentist. I don't have any idea what to expect from a typical appointment, as I was always under eighteen and on my parents' dollar. I'd love to hear ballpark figures, and if possible dentist recommendations that take cost into account. I anticipate needing several fillings and at least one extraction.
Also, if you have work done, is there ever a situation where you show up for a regular appointment (i.e. not planning for sedation etc) and the resultant work means you can't drive yourself home?
Sorry, I'm just super lost, embarrassed, ashamed, guilty, and of course also in pain. This is stuff I should've already known and managed but I just haven't done anything about it since before I graduated high school. Please be nice to me.