Anxiety Clinic

Dental Anxiety Clinic in Glasgow

Overcome your Fear or Phobia of the Dentist 

Do You Have Dental Anxiety or Phobias?

Do you avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety or are you a phobic patient? Dental anxiety is a recognised condition affecting both adults and children! It’s the leading reason why so many people neglect to give their smile the attention needed for optimum oral health. At The Berkeley Clinic, we have a special interest in treating patients with dental anxiety and phobias. Dr Mike Gow is our clinical director of dental anxiety management and he has developed a number of anxiety management techniques to help dental patients to overcome their phobias and fears.

What is Dental Anxiety?

A feeling of nerves and or anxiety about visiting the dentist. Sometimes this can prevent going to an appointment and getting necessary dental treatment. Dental anxiety can present due to a number of reasons and can vary in its severity with the most extreme being a true dental phobia.

Do You Get Anxious When You Think About the Dental Environment?

  • Sights, smells or sounds of the dental office (drill)
  • Fear of pain or needles
  • Bad dental experience in the past
  • Severe gag reflex
  • Loss of control and trust barrier
  • Lighting.

Causes of Dental Anxiety and Phobia and how to manage it

Signs and Symptoms of Dental Anxiety

  • Feeling embarrassed or angry with yourself or the dentist
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Visible distress, crying
  • Making appointments but constantly cancelling them.

The reasons behind why a person may develop dental anxiety will differ depending on the individual, but more often than not this type of worry will be focused around negative childhood memories.

  • a traumatic dental experience or other healthcare experience
  • trust issues
  • fear of loss of control
  • general anxiety, depression or a post-traumatic stress disorder.

How to Manage Dental Anxiety or Phobia

Many advances in dentistry over the last twenty years. From innovations in technology to the increasing use of sedation dentistry, dentists have the tools to painlessly perform your dental procedure. Our dentists focus on the following techniques to put your muscles and your mind into a relaxed state.

  • Deep breathing
  • Meditation
  • Guided imagery
  • Conscious sedation
  • Hypnosis

Once we have a thorough understanding of your problems, we can start to introduce dental treatment. This begins with simple experiments such as sitting in the dental chair for the first time. Treatment is gradually introduced at a rate you can cope with. This can be done in many small visits or in longer sessions.

View Our Extensive Patient Testimonials

Find out what our patients say about their experience. 

View Testimonials Gallery

Are you unhappy with your smile, do you get embarrassed by your crooked and discoloured teeth? Is it difficult to eat the foods you love? Would you like to replace missing teeth with a fixed solution, have straighter whiter teeth and get the smile that you’ve always wanted? Call the Berkeley Clinic today to book your consultation and get the smile you've always wanted.

Contact us today

Partnering With Excellence