Dental anxiety & phobias: we’re here to help

rest assured, there’s no need to be embarrassed about your anxiety —give us a call and let us know how you’re feeling before your appointment. Then, when you’re at the clinic, you can discuss your concerns with the dentist or hygienist.

Dental anxiety can be managed in various ways:

• Oral medications: With prior notice, we can offer you a sedating medication in tablet form (to be taken before your appointment) that will put you at ease.
• Nitrous oxide (happy/laughing gas) – at the start of your appointment, you can be given happy gas. We’ll fit a mask to your face and ask you to breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Within minutes, you’ll drift away to a very pleasant, relaxed state, free of worry, while remaining conscious. At the end of the treatment, we’ll stop the gas, and you’ll be back to your normal self in minutes and be able to drive home.
• IV sedation (intravenous sedation) – This treatment is usually reserved for intense and lengthy dental procedures and requires an anaesthetist. It will allow you to drift off to a peaceful, relaxed state. Afterwards, you’ll have no recollection of your treatment.