It is alright if it has been a while.
Plenty of people put off the dentist, then keep putting it off because of how long it has been. If that is you, the hardest part is getting in touch. After that it is a conversation, at whatever pace suits you.
Nobody is going to tell you off.
We do not comment on how long it has been since your last visit, and we are not interested in why. We see it often, from people of every age, and it says nothing about you. What matters is where your teeth are now and what you would like to do about it.
If you would like to see what the practice does before you commit to anything, have a look at our treatments.
Mostly talking, then a look.
You sit down, we ask what brought you in and you tell us as much or as little as you want. Then we examine your teeth, gums and the soft tissues of your mouth, and describe what we can see as we go.
Nothing is done to you at that visit unless you ask for it. You can stop at any point, and you can leave with a plan and no treatment booked if that is where you want to leave it. The practical side of joining us is set out on our new patients page.
Ask for any of these. They are normal requests.
A signal to pause
We agree a hand signal before we start. Raise your hand and we stop, without you having to explain yourself.
Told before, not during
We say what is coming next before it happens, so nothing arrives without warning.
Shorter appointments
Treatment can often be split across more, shorter visits rather than one long one.
A quieter time of day
Ask for the quietest slot in the diary. Fewer people around makes a real difference to some patients.
Someone with you
Bring a friend or a family member. They are welcome to stay with you.
Headphones
Your own music or a podcast covers most of the sounds people find difficult.
The ones we hear most.
Needles
Tell us before we start. We can numb the surface first and take the injection slowly, and we will tell you exactly when it is happening rather than letting it surprise you.
The sound
The noise bothers a lot of people more than anything else. Headphones help. So does knowing in advance which part of the appointment involves it and how long it will last.
Gagging
Sitting more upright, breathing through the nose and keeping appointments short all help. We can also work in stages rather than keeping instruments in your mouth for long.
Loss of control
This is usually the real fear underneath the others. The answer is the pause signal and the running commentary. You decide when we carry on.
A bad experience before
Tell us what happened. You do not have to go into detail, but knowing what went wrong last time tells us what to avoid and what to do differently.
Cost
Being worried about the bill is a fair reason to put off a visit. You will get a written plan with the options set out, and you can take it away and decide in your own time.
Things people ask before they ring.
What if I have not been to a dentist for ten years?
Then you are one of many people we see. A long gap is a reason to come in, not a reason to stay away. We will look at where things are now and work out what to do from there.
Will it hurt?
A first visit is an examination and a conversation, so there is very little to it. For treatment later on, we explain what we are doing before we do it and we stop when you ask us to.
Can I just come and talk without any treatment?
Yes. Some patients come in simply to meet us and see the room. Tell us that is what you want when you book and nothing else will be expected of you.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Bringing a friend or family member helps a lot of people, both in the waiting area and in the room.
What if I need to stop halfway through?
Then we stop. We agree a signal at the start so you do not have to speak, and we pause as soon as you use it. We can finish another day if that is easier.
Whenever you are ready.
Tell us you are nervous when you get in touch. It helps us plan the visit around you.