Dental anxiety is more common than many people realise. A significant proportion of adults feel some level of nervousness about visiting the dentist and for some people that anxiety is severe enough to mean they avoid dental care for years at a time. We know this is, we take it seriously and something we have considerable experience in managing with care.
First and most importantly, there is nothing unusual about feeling nervous. Many of our patients feel anxious when they first come to us. Some have had difficult experiences in the past. Some simply find the environment or the sounds unsettling. Whatever your reason, we will never judge you for it. The first step is telling us. When you contact us or when you arrive, please let our team know that you feel anxious. Everything we do from that point is designed to make you feel as comfortable and in control as possible.
We take things at your pace. There is no rushing and no pressure. We explain everything before we do it so there are no surprises. We use agreed signals, such as raising a hand, so that you know you can pause treatment at any point. This sense of control makes a real difference to how people experience dental care. Our surgeries are designed to feel calm and welcoming and our team is trained to recognise and respond to signs of anxiety.
For patients with more significant anxiety we offer conscious sedation, led by our Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Peter Faber. This involves taking a sedative that produces a deeply relaxed state. You remain conscious and able to respond but feel calm and are unlikely to remember much of the appointment. It is a safe and effective option that allows anxious patients to receive the dental care they need in comfort.
If you have been putting off a dental visit because of anxiety, please reach out to us. We will meet you wherever you are and work together from there. You can read more about our sedation service.