General dentistry

Nervous patients and sedation

Dental anxiety is one of the most common anxieties there is, and it keeps a lot of people from the care they need. Looking after anxious patients is never an afterthought here. We have looked after patients who had not seen a dentist in twenty years. We will look after you.

Book a first conversation Hear Glynnis talk about her experience

The upstairs waiting area, with a grey sofa, orange cushions and a window onto the garden

Our patient lounge

Your first visit is always just a chatTreatment follows when you are ready, and there is no judgement about how long that takes

About nervous patients

We get it. Let's fix that.

What anxiety looks like

It is different for everyone. For some it is a vague unease that makes booking harder than it should be. For others it is panic at the thought of the chair. Some had a bad experience years ago and have not been back since; some do not know why they feel the way they do. All of it is valid, and all of it is something we can work with. The first thing we ask is that you tell us. You do not need to justify it: just let us know, and we adjust how we communicate, how we approach treatment, and the pace of the appointment.

How we work with you

We do not rush and we do not dismiss. We talk through what we are going to do before we do it, check in regularly, and use a stop signal so you are always in control. We never do more than you have agreed to. The first appointment is always just a chat and a look around. The priority is trust; treatment follows when you are ready.

Conscious sedation

For patients who need more support, we offer intravenous conscious sedation, given and monitored throughout by a consultant anaesthetist. It produces a deeply relaxed state in which you are comfortable and largely unaware of the treatment, while still conscious and able to respond. Most patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterwards.

Sedation lets us carry out complex or lengthy treatment in a single visit, and it is particularly useful for high anxiety, significant treatment needs or a strong gag reflex. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.

Read the transcript

The treatment that I've had here has been exemplary. I don't give my trust very easily. People have to earn it. I totally trust what they say I need doing. Everybody expects to have a nice smile and as you get older that gets harder because your teeth discover and they get broken and it's hard. It's hard to maintain that. The dentist here has allowed me to have the confidence to smile. The patient is a partner in what's going on. So you are told and things are explained to you and if you say I really don't get that, they'll try a different way of explaining to you. So you understand what is happening. If you understand there's less to be fearful about, especially if anybody out there is really frightened and phobic, come and talk to these people. They know what they're doing. They understand and they understand your mindset as well and that is really important.

Patient story · 1:01

“If you understand, there's less to be fearful about. If anybody out there is really frightened and phobic, come and talk to these people.”

Glynnis does not give her trust easily. She describes being treated as a partner in her care, having things explained until she understood them, and getting the confidence to smile again.

Common questions

I haven't been to the dentist in years because of anxiety. Can you still help?

Yes, and you are far from alone. We have looked after patients who had not sat in a dental chair for twenty years. The first appointment is always just a chat and a gentle look around, with no treatment and no pressure. The priority is building trust; treatment follows when you are ready.

What is conscious sedation, and is it safe?

A sedative given intravenously produces a deeply relaxed state in which you remain conscious and able to respond, but most patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterwards. It is a well-established approach, given and monitored throughout by a consultant anaesthetist in a clinical setting. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.

How do you help with fear of injections or the drill?

We talk through exactly what we are going to do before we do it, check in regularly, and use a stop signal so you are always in control. We never do more than you have agreed to. For patients who need more support, sedation lets complex treatment happen in a single comfortable session with little memory of it afterwards.

Can I have sedation for routine treatment, or only complex procedures?

Sedation is available to any patient who needs or requests it. If anxiety is stopping you getting the care you need, it is a completely valid option for routine treatment too. We will discuss it at your consultation and work out the right approach for you.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Christopher Leech (GDC 113615), 14 October 2026.

Patient reviews

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“Always excellent patient care from Kim and Anna on Reception and Leigh and Hannah in the surgery. (I’m sure all the staff are equally lovely but I haven’t met them all!) Leigh is exceptionally good at explaining dental “stuff” in a way which is tailored to different individual people.”
Jane · today
245 reviews from our patients on GoogleRead them all
“A truly excellent dentists. I feel lucky to have such a renowned practice so close to us in what is just a small market town. In my family of four, we all use Clear Dentistry, and I feel we’re in brilliant hands.”
Charlie Thompson · 2 weeks ago
“As always, a friendly and personalised service from reception to the dentist’s chair”
Paul Howden · 2 weeks ago
“I would highly recommend Clear Dentistry, Chis and his team are extremely professional offering the highest level of care and service.”
Kate Holroyd Smith · 3 weeks ago
“The team at Clear dentistry are great, but a special mention to Kim who is exceptional!”
Kirsty Tilley · 3 weeks ago
“Dental care is always superb. Every procedure is explained and gold standard. The before and after images are extremely informative.”
John Morris · 3 weeks ago
“I moved from another dental practice that I was with for 5 years on the recommendation of a relative and I’m very glad I did. Equipment is first class, everyone is extremely friendly and professional and make me feel a lot more comfortable than other dental practices I’ve used. They’re also able and willing to answer any and all questions I have and answer honestly instead of just trying to sell! Highly recommend.”
Max Coghlan · 6 weeks ago
“Truly the best dental practice I’ve been to. The receptionists, nurses and dentists are very professional, friendly and really seem to care. They make you feel very informed about your options and any treatments (if needed). Would highly recommend!”
Lizzie P · 6 weeks ago
“As always, my experience with Clear Dentistry today was great. On entering the building I see the reception staff. Three faces were smiling at me and I immediately relaxed. Dealing with Kim at the desk is always a pleasure. After a couple of information checks I went upstairs to see Luke. Luke has looked after me for many years. He is the best dentist I have ever had (and I had a few before I found him). Luke has an ability to put you at ease. He is professional, has a gentle manner and is extremely experienced. You do feel with Luke that it's not about the money, it's the care that's important. Keith Lines”
Keith Lines · 6 weeks ago

Nervous patients and sedation

We get it. Let's fix that.

What anxiety looks like

How we work with you

Conscious sedation

Common questions

Start with a clear picture.

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