The queue of people that love the dentist is very short! The queue of people that don’t like the dentist is considerably longer!

Relax…if that’s possible! Your dentist is used to putting people at ease who are tense. It is a good idea to tell your dentist what you don’t like about the dentist. If you have had a bad experience, let your dentist know what happened so that he or she can avoid a repeat!

If you are really phobic, there are some additional techniques available at some practices such as conscious sedation. This involves using a sedative drug called Midazolam which will relax you and help you complete any treatment you may need. Also, it may be possible to use nitrous oxide gas and oxygen to help relax you. Not all dentists use these techniques, some have music and DVD glasses to distract you. Some offer hypnosis techniques. The best thing to do is to have a chat with your dentist to find a way forward.

Dentists will do all they can to help put your mind at rest if you're nervous or anxious about treatment. Some dentists actually specialise in treating nervous patients. Ask your dentist – if they cannot help you personally, they may be able to recommend someone who can.