Nervous patients
Being afraid of the dentist is common and nothing to be ashamed of. How we work with nervous patients: unhurried, with explanations, and with you in control.
Many people put off the dentist for years because of fear: of pain, of the needle, of the noise, of being told off about their teeth, or simply of the unknown. The fear is real, and it isn't solved by being told “not to worry”.
Here, the first consultation is for explaining and getting to know each other, not for treating. We work calmly, with a focus on getting past the fear, and you set the pace.
Suitable if
- Patients who have put off treatment for years because of fear.
- Anyone who has had a bad experience at the dentist.
- Fear of needles, of anaesthetic or of the noise of the instruments.
- Gagging during impressions or with instruments in the mouth.
- Anyone who wants to know beforehand, step by step, what happens.
Not suitable if
- An emergency with strong pain: then don't wait, call straight away and we make room the same day, with the same care.
Your alternatives
There isn't one way of dealing with fear, but a few things that together make the difference:
- Time. Appointments are spaced out so nobody is rushed. Your first visit can be just a conversation.
- Explanations. We tell you beforehand what you'll feel at each step and show you on the X-ray what we're doing.
- Control. We agree a signal, usually a raised hand, and when you make it, we stop. No exceptions.
- Small steps. We start with something simple, such as a clean, so you get used to the practice before bigger treatment.
How it goes
Consultation and plan
The first meeting is a conversation. You tell us what frightens you and what happened before, and we tell you how we work. We examine with just a mirror and, if you agree, take an X-ray. Nothing is treated on the first visit unless you want it.
Preparation
You get a written plan with the steps in the order we'll do them, usually starting with the simplest. For anaesthetic, we first use a gel that numbs the gum, so the injection is felt as little as possible.
The treatment itself
We tell you every step beforehand and how long it takes. We take breaks whenever you need them. For patients who need extra reassurance, we have a portable monitoring system: ECG, non-invasive blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
Check-ups and maintenance
Regular check-ups mean small, rare and short treatments. The more regularly you come, the fewer reasons there are to be afraid.
How long it takes overall
- First visit: just a conversation
- no rush
- First treatment: something simple
- when you're ready
- Further treatment
- at your pace
What the cost depends on
Treatment doesn't cost more because you need more time or breaks: appointments are spaced out anyway. The cost depends on the treatment you need, which you see in the estimate after the consultation, before you decide anything.
For larger treatments, payment can be spread in stages. Details in the guide to treatment cost.
Costs
How the cost of a treatment is set →What you will feel
With effective local anaesthetic, most treatments don't hurt. What remains is pressure, vibration and the noise of the instruments; we tell you about each beforehand, so nothing takes you by surprise.
Many patients find the waiting was harder than the treatment. The hardest step is booking: you can message us on WhatsApp, without a phone call, and tell us from the start that you're nervous.
Risks and limits
The biggest risk for a nervous patient isn't the treatment but putting it off. A small cavity, treated today in a few minutes, becomes pain, a root canal or an extraction over time.
We don't promise treatment with no sensation at all. We promise that you know what's coming and that we stop when you ask.
After treatment
After each treatment we tell you what's normal to feel and when to call us. The instructions for each treatment are in the Aftercare pages. What to bring to your first visit is on the First visit page.
Common questions
- How long is the first visit?
- As long as it needs. The first visit is a conversation and a simple examination; we don't treat anything unless you want us to.
- Will it hurt?
- We work with effective local anaesthetic. We tell you beforehand what you'll feel at each step and stop when you raise your hand.
- How often should I come for a check-up?
- Generally every six months. Regular check-ups mean small, short treatments.
- I'm embarrassed about my teeth. Will you tell me off?
- No. We don't judge anyone. What interests us is where we start and how we get, together, to where you want to be.
- I'm afraid of needles. What can be done?
- Before the injection we numb the gum with a gel, and the anaesthetic goes in slowly. Many patients barely feel it.
- Can I bring someone with me?
- Yes. If it helps to have someone you know with you, tell us when you book.