fbpx

Nervous Patients at Oakley Dental In Prestwich, Manchester

If you are nervous at the thought of picking up the phone and speaking to us, scared of needles or had a bad experience as a child, you are not alone. Over half of the patients we see are terrified of the dentist and many travel from London, Scotland and overseas to be looked after by our caring team.

We are THE first-choice clinic for phobic patients.  

Join us for a chat on the phone or call into the clinic to find our more about how Oakley Dental can help you overcome your fear, including through treatment under gentle sedation.

Dr Steve Maskill’s experience with nervous patients

During more than 30 years in practice, Steve has helped more than 10,000 nervous, anxious and phobic patients achieve the smile they have always dreamed of.

Steve is a phobia-certified dentist and has completed sedation courses in London with the Society for the Advancement of Anaesthesia in Dentistry (SAAD) and now mentors other dentists on sedation techniques for nervous patients.

Steve enjoys a reputation as a caring practitioner who can reassure even the most anxious of patients. Oakley dental has many patients who regularly travel from abroad to receive treatment from him.

He recently treated a patient whose phobia had prevented them from visiting the dentist for 50 years – a clinic record!

Nervous Patients – Testimonial

Listen to what Ryan – one of Oakley Dental’s nervous patients – has to say. In the video below, he talks about how Steve helped him feel relaxed enough to go through with treatment after suffering from dental phobia for years.

Dental Phobia – What’s the Problem?

In the UK, around one in four of us is nervous about visiting the dentist. Most commonly, this results in a little anxiety when visiting and doesn’t get in the way of treatment. 

However, in more severe cases, nervousness can prevent people from attending appointments, with some preferring to put it off altogether rather than face up to their fears. This results in impaired oral health which often makes patients fearful of prolonged treatment and less likely to seek help when they need it most. 

It’s a vicious circle which can only be broken by a sympathetic and skilled dental professional with experience addressing the myriad causes and effects of dental phobia.

Common Causes

There are many reasons why patients are nervous about attending appointments. Some of the most common reasons we come across here at Oakley Dental in Prestwich include: 

  • Bad past experiences
  • Embarrassment about dental health 
  • Fear of needles
  • Dislike of dental noises and smells    

Let Us Put Your Mind at Rest 

No matter what the cause of your anxiety, a visit to Oakley Dental can completely change the way you think about visiting the dentist. Our unique approach has been refined over 30 years in practice and you’ll find every last detail in our clinic designed to put you at ease. 

Here are just some of the reasons why Oakley is among the country’s leading clinics for nervous patients.

We Hear Your Concerns

We start by taking your fears seriously and listening to your concerns to find out how we can make treatment more relaxing.  

We Put Patients First

We believe that giving you full control over your treatment is the first small step towards restoring your confidence in dentistry. This means you set the pace and only go ahead when feeling ready.

We Keep You Informed

We arm you all the information you need about treatment, taking time to answer even the most trivial of questions in detail. It’s our way of helping you feel confident and in control at all times.   

Relaxed Environment

Every last detail in our clinic is designed to put you at ease. Patients often describe the ambience as being more like a spa than a dentist’s surgery.

Nervous Patient FAQs

How is treatment for phobic patients different?

We let nervous patients set the pace of treatment – and that means taking your time to feel comfortable in the clinic. This could mean taking your initial consultation out of the clinic into more comfortable surroundings, and giving you the time you need to feel confident. We may also suggest gentle sedation during treatment to help you feel at ease.

How are you equipped to deal with nervous patients?

Over more than 30 years in dentistry, we’ve made a name as the go-to clinic for nervous patients. Our principal dentist Steve Maskil has treated more than 10,000 nervous patients ranging from the slightly anxious to the all-out phobic. He now trains fellow dentists in the treatment of phobic patients and sedation techniques. As well as our vast experience, you’ll find every last detail in our Manchester clinic designed to relax and put you at ease.   

What happens at my first appointment?

It all depends on you. You could go right ahead with treatment, or you may prefer to ask us some questions and take a look around the clinic until you feel more comfortable. It’s essential to let you set the pace.

Will I need lots of treatment?

There’s no way of knowing how much treatment you will need until our dentist has had a chance to see you in person. In cases where lots of work is required, we can use sedation to reduce discomfort and treatment time.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes. Some people find that bringing someone they trust along with them to the appointment helps them relax.

What else can I do to make it easier?

Strategies vary from patient to patient. Some like to do calming breathing exercises before or during treatment, while others prefer to bring an iPod loaded with their favourite soothing music. Whatever helps you to relax is fine by us.  

Gentle Sedation

We’ve gone to great lengths to make every single patient feel comfortable and relaxed. If you still feel nervous, you could join the thousands of patients who prefer to undergo gentle sedation during treatment.

Principal dentist Steve Maskil has trained extensively in sedation techniques, which he now uses to treat nervous patients in Oakley Dental’s Prestwich surgery. 

Patients often report treatment passing quickly as though in a dream. For many Oakley patients, sedation has turned dental appointments from a nerve-wracking experience into one they look forward to.

The use of sedation also allows our dentists to carry out work requiring several appointments in a single visit.

Why Try Sedation?

  • It is a safe, effective treatment
  • Work requiring several appointments can be carried out in one visit!
  • People who have difficulty getting numb have no problem when relaxed
  • It reduces the fatigue of extended dental treatments that require long visits

Am I a Candidate for Sedation? 

If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you may be a candidate for sedation at Oakley Dental.

  • Do you experience fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist?
  • Have you had traumatic dental experiences in the past?
  • Do you have difficulty getting numb?
  • Do you have a bad gag reflex?
  • Do you suffer from sensitive teeth or another painful condition?
  • Do you have limited time to complete dental treatment?
  • Do you have complex dental needs?
  • Are you embarrassed or afraid of the state of your teeth?
  • Do you hate the noise and smells of the dentist’s clinic?

Answered YES?

Oakley Dental are proud to have provided nervous patient services to our local patients within Bury, Whitefield, Prestwich, throughout Manchester and Beyond. 

Call 0161-773-0111 today and allow us help you overcome your fears.

Contact Us Now

 

Patient Information

Opening Hours

Monday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Call Now
Find Us