Nervous Patients
If you feel anxious about having dental treatment, rest assured you’re not alone. The main reason adults give for putting off visiting the dentist is not lack of time or concern about costs, but fear. Approximately one in six patients is nervous about visiting the dentist.
Our team are trained to alleviate any fears for nervous patients, and make sure you feel calm and in control during every single visit. Our friendly team will put you at ease, and a comfortable waiting area with complimentary refreshments and your choice of music and lighting, will help you feel relaxed.
Nervous Patient Programme
Talk to Us…
When it comes to fears and phobias, we understand the power of open communication. We will spend time discussing any anxieties or concerns ahead of your treatment, and will continue to make sure that you are well-informed and cared for.
If you have a question about your treatment, ask it. If you empower yourself with all of the knowledge about your treatment it will help to alleviate the fear of the unknown.
Safe Signalling
Your dentist will agree a safe signal for you to use during treatment to alert him/her that you would like to take a break or stop for any reason. The most common signal is raising your hand.
The dental nurse will be sat alongside you to offer reassurance and offer a wealth of experience and tried-and-tested techniques to help you feel comfortable at every stage.Â
Remember, you are not alone
Dental anxiety is extremely common. You should never be embarrassed about feeling anxious or about the fact that your dental health may of suffered as a result of dental anxiety. We offer a wide range of treatments for all dental concerns and complexities so it is never too late to treat your dental health or achieve the smile you have always wanted.
Relaxation Methods
Breathing Techniques
Square breathing is a simple yet effective technique where you close your eyes, and imagine a big square.
Set your mind at one corner, then breathe in and count to three whilst you travel across to the next corner, then pause for three there, then exhale and count for three as you travel to the next corner.
You simply keep repeating this to regulate your breathing and feel more relaxed.
Belly breathing is another technique that can be useful in many ways. Anxiety can cause tight shoulders and we breathe in a shallow way, which can cause us to breathe faster.
With belly breathing, you push your shoulders down, try to relax them, and then focus your breath deep down into the belly so it expands; then when you breathe out you imagine someone pushing on your belly to get all the air out.
Breathe in for 5, hold for 5 and then breathe out for 5 is usually a good place to start, as well as trying it lying on your back with your hand on your belly at least for the first few times.
Hypnosis
There are free hypnosis sessions for helping overcome dental anxiety on-line and some people find that they really do help.
Just remember you need to give it time to work, so don’t try listening and watching the night before your appointment when you are less likely to focus.  Try some of these sessions well in advance of your appointment date.
Mantras
Mantras work when you repeat them over and over again every day and put the effort into believing them. You might say them to yourself in the mirror, or perhaps out loud to yourself throughout the day.
With dental anxiety, the mantra might be ‘I need a dental health check, and it’s going to be fine’, you would do this whilst thinking about the check up and imagining yourself smiling and feeling fine during it.
These types of positive affirmations can make a big difference if you keep at them.
Helpful Tips
- Book a morning appointment, so you’re not worried about it all day.
- Remember that your first appointment is only a consultation: you can talk everything through with us ahead of any dental treatment.
- Bring a friend with you to your appointment to help give you support.
- Talk to family and friends about their positive experiences at the dentist.
- Opt for a simple clean and polish to help you get used to being in the dental chair and having dental procedures.
Dental Phobia
If you have a severe dental phobia, talk to us about how sedation might help. We offer special care to our anxious patients through two forms of sedation to make their appointments more comfortable and relaxing.
The first type is called intravenous or IV sedation. The sedative drug is injected in a controlled manner, so that you feel relaxed during the dental treatment. The second type is inhalation sedation, which is good if you don’t like needles. A small mask is placed over your nose and mouth, and you breathe in a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen.
This gas mixture will make you feel calm during your dental appointment. You remain awake and aware while receiving the sedation, but you will experience a deep sensation of peace and relaxation, while the team work on your teeth.
Our team of dentists and nurses are specially trained to deliver these types of sedation and will make sure you are safe and comfortable at all times during your visit.
Poonam and Nicola absolutely brilliant!!!! Fantastic at reassuring and calming my nerves! Thank you!! And see you soon 🙂
Sal Hammes
I've been attending this Practice for 49 years and the service, dentists, nurses and non-medical staff have always been friendly, helpful and caring in their treatment of me!
I, too, used to fear going to the dentist as a result of going to a grown-ups dentist as a child of about 8 - Never again, I said, but just 10 years later, I was totally enjoying going to a dentist again.
David Kelly
I have only been with this practice since December 2020 but have found them wonderful.
My dentist is Irina and she is a very good and gentle dentist. I am scared of needles and dentists in general but Irina makes me relax. So grateful to have her as my dentist.
Herdis Baldvinsdottir
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