I actually lived through all the stages described here (I'm mid 20's) and I live in the Eastern Europe. When I was a child 20-15 years ago, local anesthesia/numbing would not even be even put on the table as an option, then good 10 years ago the doctor would ask if I wanted the numbing - I haven't refused once since then because I knew what the experience was like with no anesthesia. Recently they have been giving anesthesia without asking, which is good.