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Categorised as:
- Advice
What is dental phobia?
Dental phobia is one of the biggest causes of the avoidance of dental care in the UK and there are a range of different triggers for dental phobia. But the good news is there are a variety of ways that you can ease your concern. We want to reassure those nervous about attending our practices that support will be readily available to help with any issues around dental phobia.
What causes dental phobia?
There are a number of reasons you may experience fear or anxiety ahead of a dental appointment:
- You can experience dental phobia at any age, regardless of how many times you’ve previously seen your dentist, and this can be heightened if you often experience anxiety. Your experience after receiving general anaesthetic can also cause you to develop a phobia.
- If you experience anxiety, this may have increased due to time away from the dentist and you may feel anxious about the safety of attending your dentist. You may even feel that because you haven’t been able to see your dentist for some time because of closure that the continuity is lost.
- Dental phobia can also be caused by the fear of needles, pain, choking/gagging or an invasion of personal space, it has many triggers.
How to ease dental phobia
- Filling out a questionnaire to highlight your levels of anxiety prior to treatment can help your dentist adjust the treatment according to your needs
- Continuity for patients with dental phobia is very important. If you have a long time away from your dentist, communication can break down, so we advise you aim to visit your dentist regularly to ensure the continuity you need to put your mind at ease
- We are now offering video consultations, which may be beneficial if you are an anxious patient. You can discuss your needs with a clinician you know and trust from the comfort of your own home, without needing the added concern of visiting the practice for any more time than is necessary
- You can try various relaxation techniques prior to and during your dental treatment. This can include sedation, or at some practices, hypnosis, as well as listening to music during treatment or wearing video goggles
- Our clinicians will talk you through the treatment process before you begin if you have specific concerns. This is called pacing and your clinician will explain each stage of your treatment, introducing you gradually to each situation to set your expectations
Meet our team
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Freya Milnes
Dental Therapist
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Sarah Kininga
Dental Nurse
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Dewi Emberton
Receptionist
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Anil Mangat
Special interest in Periodontology
Anil qualified in 2001 from Cardiff University Dental School and worked in a range of dental practices in Cornwall, South Wales and Sheffield as a general dental practitioner. He was always interested in treatment of gum disease. In 2017, he undertook a 3-year MSc in clinical Periodontology at the University of Central Lancashire, qualifying in 2020.
Anil has been accepting Periodontal referrals since 2018 and undertaken and range of treatments including:
• surgical and non-surgical Root surface debridement, • surgical periodontal regeneration,
• adjunctive antibiotics for treatment of severe, non-responsive gum disease.
• Management of occlusal trauma (uneven biting forces can loosen teeth, particularly in those who clench or grind their teeth).
• Splinting of loose teeth. • crown lengthening including treatment of gummy smile (for suitable cases),
• Coordinating treatment planning with restorative, orthodontic or implant treatment where stabilisation of gum condition and accurate prognosis is needed.
Anil has a keen interest in teaching. He spent time as dental foundation trainer, mentoring newly qualified dentists through their first year in Practice and is currently an honorary clinical lecturer at Sheffield University Dental School, supporting 4th and 5th year undergraduates. He has acted as an examiner for the GDC’s Overseas registrants’ examinations.
Outside of work, Anil enjoys Hockey (though more coaching than playing these days), cycling, films and music and a trip to the gym.
Should require assistance due to dental phobia, please do not hesitate to contact us
How to find us
Our practice is located in the heart of Manchester City Centre. You can find us at 31 Booth St, Manchester, M2 4AF, where we’ll be providing fantastic state-of-the-art services in a purpose-built space in a beautiful listed building. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Parking information & accessibility
Our practice is fully accessible, meaning that regardless of your mobility, we can welcome you into practice, please contact us for further information about our access. If you are travelling by car, we are within close proximity to the chargeable NCP car park at Piccadilly Plaza. Alternatively, there are number of tram and bus stops, which are just a short walk away.
