What we do differently for nervous patients
- Talk first. Your first appointment can be just a conversation and an examination, with no treatment that day unless you want it.
- Explain before we do. We tell you what’s about to happen, and roughly how it will feel, before each step.
- A stop signal. Raise your hand and we stop, no questions asked.
- Numbing gel before injections, and time for the anaesthetic to work fully before we start.
- Shorter appointments if you’d rather do treatment in smaller steps.
- No surprises with cost. You get a written estimate before treatment starts.
Tell us when you book
If you’re anxious, say so when you call. It helps to know what worries you most, whether that’s needles, the sound of the drill, gagging, a bad past experience or not knowing what’s going on. We’ll plan the appointment around it.
For children
Children pick up on adults’ worries, so keep the visit low-key and don’t use the dentist as a threat. Children who are very anxious, or very young and needing treatment, are seen by our paediatric dentist. See children’s dental care and preparing your child for a first visit.
Common treatments, and how they feel
- Check-ups and cleaning: no injections for most people.
- Fillings and root canals: done under local anaesthetic; pressure, not pain.
- Extractions: pressure during; soreness for a few days afterwards.
Questions patients ask us
Is dental treatment painful?
With a working local anaesthetic, most treatment such as fillings, root canals and extractions feels like pressure and vibration rather than pain. The injection is the part most people notice, and numbing gel on the gum first makes that much easier.
What if the anaesthetic doesn't work?
Tell us. Some teeth, especially inflamed lower molars, are harder to numb, and we can give more anaesthetic or use a different technique. We don't carry on while you're in pain.
I haven't been to a dentist in years and I'm embarrassed.
Please don't be. We see it often, and nobody will lecture you. The first visit can be just a conversation and a look, with no treatment, so you know where you stand.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. A friend or family member is welcome to sit with you.
Do you offer sedation?
We don't offer sedation. Tell us about your anxiety when booking. Your dentist will explain the treatment, discuss local anaesthetic where appropriate, and agree how you can ask for a pause.
Last updated 18 October 2026.