Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
The racing heartbeat. The cold sweat. The overwhelming urge to cancel your appointment at the last minute.
For those experiencing dental anxiety, these feelings are all too familiar and painfully real. Dentophobia affects many, with some experiencing such anxiety that they avoid essential dental care altogether. Rather than face a session in the dentist’s chair, they opt to live with unnecessary pain, diminished confidence, and a slow erosion of their smile.
At Canon Street Dental, we completely understand the emotional burden that dental anxiety can place on our patients. As a dedicated nervous patient’s dentist in London, we’ve made it our mission to create a sanctuary where fear is acknowledged, respected, and gently overcome.
Dental anxiety manifests in various ways and can be triggered by numerous factors. For some, it’s the sound of dental equipment or the fear of needles. Others may have had negative experiences in the past that continue to affect their perception of dental visits.
This anxiety is more than just feeling uncomfortable—it can create a cycle that damages oral health. When patients avoid regular check-ups due to fear, minor issues can develop into serious problems requiring more invasive treatments, which in turn reinforces anxiety.
Additionally, we uphold a strict no-judgment policy. We understand that many patients avoid dental visits due to embarrassment about the condition of their teeth. But we want to assure you that we will never criticise or express disappointment about your oral health status.
Our dentists and staff recognise that dental anxiety often leads to delayed treatment, and rather than dwelling on past care patterns, we focus exclusively on creating positive experiences and supportive treatment plans moving forward. Many of our patients tell us that this accepting approach was the key factor in helping them overcome years of dental avoidance.
Remember that dental anxiety is extremely common and nothing to feel embarrassed about. Our team at Canon Street Dental addresses patients with these concerns every day, and we are specially trained to do so.
From the moment you step into Canon Street Dental, you’ll notice the difference. Our practice features soothing décor, comfortable seating, and relaxing background music—all carefully designed to put you at ease. We’ve deliberately created a space that feels more like a spa than a traditional dental clinic.
Our reception area offers complimentary refreshments and reading materials to help you relax while waiting for your appointment. Many patients comment that this thoughtful environment helps reduce their anxiety before they even meet their dentist.
Our entire team, from receptionists to dental assistants and dentists, has received specialised training in supporting patients who are anxious. We understand that dental anxiety begins the moment you consider making an appointment, which is why our telephone staff are trained to listen to your concerns and answer questions compassionately to ease your mind.
We believe that addressing dental anxiety starts with trust. That’s why we offer personalised consultation appointments focused primarily on conversation—no treatment, no pressure. These sessions allow you to meet your dentist, discuss your concerns, and develop a mutual understanding before any dental work begins.
Many patients find these initial meetings transformative. They also discover that modern dentistry has evolved in leaps and bounds from what they may have remembered from their childhood experiences.
Everyone’s anxiety is unique, which is why we customise our approach for each patient. During your consultation, we’ll discuss specific triggers for your anxiety and develop strategies to address them throughout your treatment journey.
We can adjust everything from appointment duration to treatment pacing based on your comfort level. Some patients prefer shorter, more frequent visits, while others prefer to complete more work in fewer appointments with appropriate support.
Living up to our reputation as a gentle dentist in London means prioritising pain-free dental treatment. We use the latest technologies and techniques to minimise discomfort, including:
Our approach to pain management is proactive rather than reactive—we anticipate potential discomfort and address it before it begins.
Absolutely. We offer various sedation options tailored to your anxiety level and medical history. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provides mild relaxation while allowing you to remain fully conscious. Oral sedatives offer deeper relaxation for more anxious patients, while IV sedation can create a dream-like state where you’ll have little to no memory of the procedure.
Our sedation specialists will discuss all options with you, considering your medical history and personal preferences to find the perfect solution for your needs.
One of the most effective ways we help nervous patients is through thorough communication. Our dentists use the “tell-show-do” method:
This approach removes the fear of the unknown that often heightens dental anxiety.
At Canon Street Dental, you’re always in control of your treatment. We establish simple hand signals that allow you to pause treatment at any time if you need a break or have a question. This simple technique gives patients tremendous peace of mind, knowing they’re never powerless in the dental chair.
Our dentists also perform regular check-ins throughout procedures to ensure your comfort and readiness to continue. This ongoing communication helps maintain trust and reduces anxiety.
For patients with severe dental phobia, we offer additional support options. We can connect you with dental psychologists who specialise in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques specifically for dental anxiety. These professionals can help you develop coping strategies that make dental visits more manageable.
We also teach progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and breathing techniques that can significantly reduce anxiety during appointments. Many patients find these skills valuable not just for dental visits but for managing anxiety in other areas of life as well.
If you’re nervous about an upcoming appointment, consider these helpful strategies:
Many patients find that proper preparation goes a long way towards reduces their anxiety on the day of treatment.
Dental anxiety doesn’t have to prevent you from having a healthy, beautiful smile. At Canon Street Dental, we’ve created an environment where nervous patients find the support, understanding, and gentle care they need to overcome their fears.
Our team of experienced nervous patients dentists combines technical expertise with genuine compassion to provide exceptional care for everyone—regardless of anxiety level. We’ve helped thousands of anxious patients transform their dental experiences from scary to seamless.
Why not take that first step? Contact Canon Street Dental today for a no-pressure consultation. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and show you how painless modern dentistry can be.
Learn more about our specialist care for nervous patients and discover why we’re London’s preferred gentle dentist for anxious patients.
020 8075 7106