If you find the dentist difficult
A lot of people put off dental appointments for years. It is more common than you would guess, and it is not something anyone here is going to make you feel bad about.
Why this happens, and why it compounds
Dental anxiety usually has a cause. A painful experience as a child. A dentist who did not stop when asked. A gag reflex. A feeling of having no control while lying back with someone working in your mouth. Sometimes it is simply the sound of the drill.
Whatever started it, the pattern that follows is the same. Appointments get postponed. Small problems that would have needed a filling become problems that need a root canal or an extraction. The treatment gets bigger, which makes the next appointment more daunting, which extends the gap. People then feel embarrassed about the state of their teeth, and the embarrassment becomes its own reason not to come in.
The way out of that loop is a first appointment where nothing is done to you. Come in, sit down, talk. If you want to leave without anything happening, that is a legitimate outcome and it is not a wasted visit.
01
Tell us when you book
Say on the phone that you find dental treatment difficult. It is noted on your file, we allow more time, and you will not have to explain yourself again in the chair.
02
Come in for a talk first
The first appointment can be a conversation with no examination at all, if that is what you need. Sitting in the room and meeting the people is often enough to take the edge off the next one.
03
Agree how you will stop us
A raised hand means stop, and we stop — not in a moment, immediately. Knowing you can interrupt at any point is what returns a sense of control.
04
Go at your pace
We can break treatment into shorter appointments, tell you each step before it happens, or say nothing at all if you would rather not know. Whatever works for you.
Practical things that help
Small adjustments, agreed in advance, make a substantial difference for most people.
Longer appointments
Time to stop, sit up, and take a break without anyone being rushed or the schedule falling apart.
An agreed stop signal
Simple, and it matters more than almost anything else. You keep control of when we pause.
Bring your own distraction
Headphones and your own music or a podcast are welcome. Many people find the sound is the hardest part.
As much or as little explanation as you want
Some people are calmer knowing exactly what is happening. Others would rather not hear the detail. Tell us which you are.
Warning: Undefined array key "user-group" in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 45
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 48
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 49
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 50
Bring someone with you
A partner or friend in the room is fine if it helps.
Warning: Undefined array key "list-check" in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 45
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 48
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 49
Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home2/cswebsite/domains/dentrust.cswebsites.com.au/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/page-assets/data-managers/font-icon-svg/font-awesome.php on line 50
A plan you can see
Knowing what needs doing, in what order, and roughly what it will cost removes a lot of the dread of the unknown.
Being straight with you about what we can offer
We will not tell you that dental treatment is painless, because pain thresholds vary between people and that would be a promise nobody can keep. What we will do is use topical anaesthetic gel before any injection, take care over the local anaesthetic, check that you are numb before starting, and stop whenever you ask.
Dentrust is a general dental practice providing treatment under local anaesthetic. We do not provide sedation or general anaesthetic on site. If your anxiety is severe enough that treatment under local anaesthetic is not realistic, that is a reasonable thing to need, and we will refer you to a practitioner qualified to provide sedation rather than pretend otherwise.
There is no judgement here about how long it has been or what your teeth look like. People who have avoided the dentist for a decade are a normal part of a week’s work.
Common questions
Can I come in without having anything done?
Yes. Ring and say that is what you want. A first appointment can be entirely a conversation.
I am embarrassed about the state of my teeth.
We see the full range, and nobody here is going to comment on how long it has been. The only thing that interests us is what to do from here.
Will you stop if I need you to?
Yes, immediately. We agree a signal before we start, and it is yours to use as often as you need.
Do you offer sedation or sleep dentistry?
No. We provide treatment under local anaesthetic. If sedation or a general anaesthetic is what you need, we will refer you to a practitioner who is qualified to provide it.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. Bring a partner, a friend or a family member into the room if that helps.
What if I need to cancel because I cannot face it?
Ring and tell us. We would far rather reschedule than have you disappear for another five years.
Related pages
Other parts of the site people usually read alongside this one.
Examinations, cleans and X-rays — the six-month visit that prevents most of the rest.
Written itemised quotes with ADA item numbers, so you can check your rebate first.
Ring us and say you are nervous
03 9899 0098. 579 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill North VIC 3129. Off-street parking at the door, so there is no hunting for a space beforehand.
All dental treatment carries risk and individual experiences of discomfort vary. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation.