Caring for Nervous Dental Patients - Gentle, Relaxing Care
Dental anxiety is common; our gentle approach, sedation options and friendly team help you relax during treatment.
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Feeling nervous about seeing a dentist? We’re here to help!
If you find the thought of visiting the dentist daunting, you’re not alone. At Tavistock Dental, we have years of experience caring for nervous and anxious patients. Dr Frances Carling-Thom has dedicated over 15 years to working with anxious patients, creating personalised treatment plans that put your comfort and peace of mind first.
Frances also runs a dedicated website for nervous patients where you can find out more about her approach and what to expect.
What makes us different?
Understanding your fear
We know that dental visits can be stressful for some people, and we’re here to change that experience. Nervous patients often face what is known as dental phobia, a condition that can be managed with tailored approaches to dental care. Our goal is to ensure you never feel judged and always feel supported.
We offer a free consultation with our care coordinator, this can be done remotely over the phone to help explain and prepare you for your next visit to the dentist.
“I have been a nervous of dentist for many years (64) and only treatment without sedation at Tavistock Dental recently. All staff are amazing from reception to Dentist, Francis. I’ve even recommended to family member who now goes to Tavistock Dental. Thank you all so much. Anne”
Comfortable treatments
With advances in modern dentistry, experiencing pain during a dental visit is now a thing of the past. Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology and techniques to make your visit as comfortable as possible. Whether it’s through sedation or advanced pain management, we ensure that your treatment is smooth.
Sedation dentistry
IV sedation puts you in a deeply relaxed, drowsy state throughout your treatment. You'll remain conscious and able to respond, but you'll feel completely at ease and will have little to no memory of the appointment afterwards - making it possible to get the care you need without the anxiety.
“If you’re a nervous patient then I highly recommend coming to Tavistock Dental. I was really nervous when I first came to see Dr Frances but Rosa from reception was really encouraging and Dr Frances listened to me and understood what I needed to feel more comfortable. The best thing is that I didn’t feel judged for being anxious and this actually made it easier to relax. Even when I can’t string a sentence together because I’m anxious I didn’t feel judged for that. If all dentists were like Dr Frances then I don’t think I would’ve been scared in the first place. Knowing that I can come here for my appointments now has and will make such a difference for me.”
Guido Spanò
Top quality professionals, reasonable prices! Super welcoming and efficient staff with Johanna's kindness making it much nicer! And... top quality doctor! I'm normally a bit nervous when going to the dentist, but Dr. Jack Johnson was incredibly professional, accurate and delicate in his assesment of my situation and his answers, he was also so patient, that I really felt at ease!
parisa rajappan
Fabulous dental practice! I called with tooth pain and was able to book an emergency appointment that morning. I've since had 2 wisdom teeth removed (within the space of a month) and the whole team was extremely kind and accommodating throughout. The receptionists, Rosa and Joanna, were so friendly and definitely helped calm nerves pre- and post-tooth removal. Dr Jack was very comforting when explaining the process and answering any questions I had, and made the whole procedure painless (and extremely swift). As someone with a terrible fear of needles and embarrassingly low pain tolerance, I can confidently say this place worked miracles! Thank you all :)
Chelsea Smith
Great experience! I was seen at very short notice after my fixed retainer became unstuck, the dentist I saw was very helpful and informative. The receptionist was also very warm and friendly, I would definitely recommend!
Gwen Mitchell
Everyone is lovely and so understanding. The receptionists (shout out to Jo and Rosa) are friendly and really do their best to put you at ease. They have an option of being shown round and introduced to people before any work which I've never been offered before. Dr Frances is a calming presence and worked hard to put fears and my embarrassment to rest. I have fibromyalgia and issues with jaw pain. They did their best to work around my issues and not trigger ongoing pain. I would definitely recommend them to anyone like me with bad previous experiences which trigger severe anxiety.
Frequently asked questions in Bloomsbury, WC1H
What if I feel very anxious about visiting the dentist?
You are not alone. Many patients feel anxious, and we take a calm and supportive approach to help you feel comfortable throughout your visit.
What is a free consultation for nervous patients?
We offer a free phone consultation with our care coordinator to talk through your concerns and help prepare you for your visit.
Can I have sedation during treatment?
Yes, sedation options are available and can be discussed based on your needs.
Will I be judged for being nervous?
No, our team is experienced in treating nervous patients and aims to provide a supportive and understanding environment.
Can I speak to someone before coming in?
Absolutely - you can arrange a free phone consultation with our care coordinator to talk through your concerns before committing to anything. If you'd prefer to see a dentist face-to-face first, Dr Carling-Thom offers remote video appointments for £55, so you can have a proper conversation from the comfort of your own home before setting foot in the practice.