If You Find Dental Visits Difficult
A lot of people put off the dentist. Sometimes it is one bad experience years ago that never quite went away; sometimes it is the sounds, or the loss of control that comes with lying back in a chair and not being able to speak. Sometimes people are embarrassed about how long it has been, which turns into a reason to leave it longer still.
None of that is unusual, and none of it is something you need to explain away before booking. Tell us it applies to you and we will plan the appointment around it.
What We Do Differently
We ask first. Before anything happens, we want to know what specifically bothers you. The needle, the drill, the sound, gagging, not knowing what is coming, or a previous appointment that went badly — the answer changes what we do, and they are not interchangeable.
Longer appointments. Where it helps, we book more time so nothing is rushed and there is room to pause.
A stop signal. We agree a hand signal before we start. Raise your hand and we stop — not at a convenient moment, immediately. Knowing that works even when you never use it.
We narrate. Your dentist explains what is about to happen before it happens, so nothing arrives unannounced. If you would rather not know the details, say so and we will keep quiet instead.
Starting small. A first appointment can be a conversation with nothing done at all, or an examination only. There is no requirement to have treatment on the day you first come in.
Your own things. Headphones and music are welcome. Bring someone with you if that helps.
Managing Discomfort
Local anaesthetic is used for treatment that would otherwise be uncomfortable, and topical numbing gel can be applied first so the injection itself is easier. If you have had anaesthetic that did not work well before, tell us — it is a common reason people expect the worst, and it can usually be managed differently.
We will not tell you a procedure will be painless. What we will do is explain what you are likely to feel, check in as we go, and stop when you ask.
Sedation Dentistry
We offer sedation for patients who find treatment difficult to face without it. Sedation is not the same as being unconscious — it is used to reduce anxiety during treatment, and local anaesthetic is still used to numb the area being worked on.
Whether sedation is suitable depends on your medical history, any medication you take and the treatment planned, so it is assessed before it is offered. Your dentist will explain which option applies to your case, what it involves on the day, how long the effects last and what the risks are. You will need someone to take you home afterwards and you should not drive for the rest of the day.
If sedation is something you want to discuss, say so when you book and we will set the appointment up to allow for it.
If It Has Been a Long Time
People who have avoided the dentist for years often expect a lecture. You will not get one. We are interested in where things are now and what you want to do about it, not in how you got here.
A first appointment after a long gap is usually an examination and X-rays, then a conversation about what we found and what the options are. Where there is a lot to do, treatment gets staged and prioritised — the urgent things first, the rest in an order and at a pace that works for you, with the costs set out in writing. You do not have to agree to all of it to start any of it.
Bringing an Anxious Child
Tell us beforehand. Keep your own language neutral in front of them, book a morning appointment, and let them bring something of their own. A first visit that ends calmly is worth more than a first visit that gets a lot done.
Talk to Us Before You Book
If it would help to ask questions before making an appointment, call (02) 8090 1109 and say you are anxious about coming in. We are at Suite 25, Level 3, 27 Hunter Street, Parramatta, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.