Treatment for Nervous Patients

Here, over 50% of the British public claim they are anxious about a visit to the dentist, and almost 12% have such high levels of anxiety that it is classed as a phobia.

Here at Smile Studio, we offer treatment for nervous patients in Penarth. Those with dental phobia will often avoid a visit to the dentist unless in an emergency. This often means phobic patients have poorer oral health and higher rates of tooth decay, which can result in the need for more complicated treatment when they do attend.

We help by using a variety of methods such as relaxation techniques and slowly introducing you to the practice, your dentist and your treatment. If you need an injection, numbing gel is always used first, and we work at a pace that suits you. You are in control at all times. We can also provide sedation for our patients, and we are always sympathetic to your needs and fears.

For added comfort, appointments can also be conducted in Welsh, should you prefer.

For some nervous patients, sedation is the step that makes treatment possible at all, and we offer it safely across Penarth.

Our friendly, caring team understands that dental treatment can be a stressful, nerve-wracking experience for some patients. We will therefore do everything we can to make you feel welcome, comfortable and confident in your treatment, with intravenous sedation being a great way to help phobic patients who need that extra step to address any problems with their teeth.

The whole team has years of experience in treatment for nervous patients, and Dr Rory Dewhurst is a dental phobia-certified dentist. You can read more about how sedation works, how to prepare and what recovery involves on our dental sedation page.

Every anxious patient is different, so our treatment for nervous patients starts with a conversation rather than a procedure.

• A no-pressure first visit, where nothing needs to happen beyond meeting your dentist and looking around the practice
• Clear explanations before anything begins, so there are no surprises in the chair
• Numbing gel before any injection, so you feel the least possible discomfort
• An agreed stop signal, so you can pause treatment whenever you need to
• Longer appointment times where helpful, so nothing feels rushed
• IV sedation for longer or more involved treatment, where you stay relaxed but responsive throughout

If it has been years since your last check-up, that is not a problem, and it is far more common than you might think. We will simply pick up from where you are.