Many patients are nervous about visiting the dentist. In fact, fear of the dentist is the main reason adults in the UK give for missing regular dental check-ups – above worries about cost or lack of time.

At King’s Dental Clinic our principal dentist has more than 15 years of experience in treating nervous patients. Our Hammersmith and Southwark practices are Dental Phobic registered, and we have a number of options available for nervous and phobic patients. Our caring, compassionate, experienced team is happy to discuss treatment options with you to help you get the treatment you need and the smile you deserve.

There are many causes of fear of the dentist, from bad past experiences to a fear of not being in control, embarrassment about the condition of your teeth if you have not seen a dentist in years to fear of specific triggers including needles or the sound of the drill.

Fear of the dentist can range from mild anxiety to full-blown phobia. Any level of fear can prevent you from seeking treatment, ironically leading to an increased risk of painful dental conditions, complications and the need for more invasive procedures.

We will always take your fears seriously and will do everything we can to put your mind at ease. Our empathic team will take the time to try to establish the cause of your fear, so that we can work with you to overcome it. We will never be judgemental; if you haven’t seen a dentist for many years because of nervousness, all we want to do is to help you get your smile and your oral health back.

Our principal dentist is also fully qualified to perform relaxation sedation, and has carried out more than 6,000 procedures using this type of sedation.

We use happy air – a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen – to inhale through a small mask. This will make you feel very relaxed and, while you are not asleep and will be able to cooperate with your dentist, your nerves will subside and you will be comfortable during treatment. Unlike other types of sedation, relaxation sedation wears off quickly when you stop inhaling the gas, meaning you will be able to drive yourself home a short time after treatment.