Taking that first step towards getting dental treatment can be a major issue for patients who feel nervous or apprehensive, but who know they really need to make that all-important first appointment.
“The good news is that more and more dentists now understand their patients’ fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part of life”, says the British Dental Health Foundation.
“Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless”, it says.
You need to find a practice that will take good care of you, and your first visit should just be for a consultation, when you can meet the receptionist, dental nurse and dentist, and have a chat about how you feel and what to expect next.
At the Chelsea Dental Clinic we have found that with clear explanations, video demonstrations and 3D animated presentations, patients feel comfortable and their fears can be largely overcome.
Most importantly, we recognise that an increasing number of patients need a helping hand during some parts of a treatment programme about which they feel apprehensive – which is where the now routine practice of sedation is frequently used as a day-to-day solution.

As soon as you arrive for your appointment you will be made to feel at ease, before the dentist injects into your arm a slow, steady flow of local sedative, allowing you to remain fully conscious, and able to respond to the dental surgeon, but also feeling comfortable, relaxed and pain free.
The dentist will explain everything, and answer any of your questions, in advance of your appointment, but as with all sedation treatments, you will not be allowed to drive until the following day.

These days, many patients appreciate the little extra help sedation provides, particularly if they have had or heard of a bad previous experience elsewhere, have a low tolerance to pain, have very sensitive teeth, or simply feel uncomfortable in the dentist’s chair.
Sedation is also a perfect solution for patients needing an agreed amount of dental work in one treatment, such as a one-visit session for new crowns and inlays.

Take a look at our Testimonials section to see for yourself how patients have taken the trouble to let us know how pleased they have been after experiencing the ‘magic’ results of sedation, and how they can now smile at their previous apprehension!