Send us your memorable dental stories

^{Send your memorable dental stories to community@cbc.ca (iStock)}

About a quarter of all Canadians have not seen a dentist or a dental hygienist in the past year according to Statistics Canada. There are many reasons for this. For some it's the high cost of dental work that keeps them out of the chair. Nearly a third of all Canadians don't have any kind of dental insurance. For others, it's dental anxiety that keeps them from going for a checkup or getting work done on their teeth.

Let's face it: going to the dentist can sometimes be a little intense. With the sound of the drill, a bright light shining in your eyes and all that poking and prodding in your mouth, even the most routine visit can be a little frightening.

But when things go right, you can go from a person who's in a world of pain to a sane human being again -- one that smiles from ear to ear. And when things go wrong, the experience can be, quite literally, like pulling teeth.

What is your most memorable experience at the dentist? Have you ever let a dental problem fester because you couldn't afford the treatment? Maybe you have the best dentist ever? Write to us and share your story.

Coming up CBC's Marketplace will be airing a special show on Canada's dental care and dentists. And in the week leading up to that airdate, we want to share your dental experiences with Canada.

A fear of going to the dentist is something that many Canadians can relate to. Many others have been saved by the miraculous work of a talented dentist. So if you have a dental story you want to share, or get off your chest, send it to community@cbc.ca. 

We'd love it if you would send us a photo of your smile, too!