Nervous patient dentist Finchley — care entirely at your pace
Dental anxiety is one of the most common barriers to good oral health. At 110 Total Dentistry on Ballards Lane, we give anxious patients longer appointments, clear explanations, agreed stop signals and as much time as they need. You are in control at every step.
Dental anxiety is common — and we can work around it together
For some people, a dental appointment brings mild nerves. For others, anxiety can be so significant that it leads to years — sometimes decades — of avoided treatment, leaving dental health to deteriorate in the meantime. Both experiences are completely valid, and both are ones we encounter regularly at 110 Total Dentistry.
Dental anxiety often stems from a previous painful or distressing experience, a fear of loss of control, or simply not knowing what to expect. Whatever the cause, our approach is the same: we listen first, we explain everything, and nothing happens without your explicit consent.
Who this approach may suit
- Patients who have avoided the dentist for months or years due to anxiety
- Anyone who has had an upsetting or painful experience at a previous practice
- People who feel out of control or overwhelmed in a clinical setting
- Patients who struggle to communicate concerns during treatment
- Those who feel embarrassed about their current dental condition
- Patients who would benefit from being seen by a clinician who speaks their language
What we offer nervous patients
- Longer appointment slots to remove time pressure
- Step-by-step explanations before and during every procedure
- An agreed hand-raise “stop” signal — raise your hand and we pause immediately
- Breaks whenever you need them, for as long as you need
- Staged care — beginning with the least demanding elements so trust can build gradually
- A purely introductory first appointment: meet the team, see the surgery, ask questions — no instruments, no treatment
- Calm, non-judgemental care regardless of dental history or current condition
Pain management and comfort during treatment
Local anaesthetic is used routinely before any treatment that could cause discomfort. If you have had difficulties with numbing in the past — or if you feel any sensation during a procedure — tell us or use the stop signal and we will address it before continuing. We take numbing seriously and will take whatever time is needed to ensure you are comfortable.
Multilingual team
Our team speaks English, Arabic, French and Armenian, with some Polish also spoken. Being able to communicate in your own language can significantly reduce anxiety — particularly when discussing concerns or understanding treatment options.
The problems that anxiety creates — and the benefits of working through it
What avoidance can lead to
- Small cavities becoming large ones requiring more complex treatment
- Gum disease progressing silently without early hygiene intervention
- Emergency situations that are more stressful than a routine visit would have been
- Mounting anxiety about an increasingly unknown dental situation
Benefits of a supported first visit
- Understanding your current dental health — removing the unknown
- A clear, staged treatment plan with no surprises
- Building a trusting relationship with the same clinician over time
- Preventing more complex and costly treatment down the line
Your first appointment — step by step
There is no single model for a nervous patient appointment because every patient is different. Below is a typical pathway — your own experience will be shaped entirely by what feels right for you.
- 1
Let us know in advance
When booking, mention that you are an anxious patient. This allows us to schedule a longer slot and note your concerns before you arrive.
- 2
Introductory or full first visit — your choice
If you prefer, your first visit can be purely introductory: meet Dr Assaker and the team, see the surgery, and ask anything you would like to know. No examination, no treatment — simply a conversation in a relaxed setting. Alternatively, if you are ready, a full new-patient examination can be completed at the same appointment.
- 3
Examination and honest assessment
When you are ready for an examination, we explain each instrument and each step before it happens. X-rays are taken only where clinically indicated. You receive an honest picture of your dental health — not a list designed to alarm you.
- 4
Staged, agreed treatment plan
If treatment is needed, we propose a staged plan — prioritising what is most urgent and spacing appointments to suit your comfort. You choose the pace. Nothing is rushed.
- 5
Ongoing care at your own rhythm
Once treatment is complete, routine check-ups and hygiene visits help maintain your oral health. Many patients who started as highly anxious find that regular attendance becomes much easier over time.
Honest considerations
A patient-centred approach addresses many forms of dental anxiety effectively, but it is not a clinical intervention for severe phobia. Some patients may benefit from support from their GP or a psychological service alongside dental care. If anxiety means that even attending a first appointment feels impossible, please call us and we can discuss what might make the initial step manageable.
Longer and staged appointments may mean a treatment plan takes more calendar time to complete than a standard approach. This is a deliberate and considered trade-off in favour of your comfort and long-term relationship with dental care.
“The team were so patient and understanding. I hadn't been to a dentist in years and they made the whole experience completely manageable.”
★★★★★ — Google review · General dentistry, nervous patient. Reproduced with permission. Individual experiences vary.
“I told them about my anxiety before the appointment and they adjusted everything. I felt in control the entire time.”
★★★★★ — Google review · Nervous patient care. Reproduced with permission. Individual experiences vary.
What to expect to pay
The fees below apply to the examination and any treatment agreed following your assessment. Nervous patient appointments use the same fee structure — the longer appointment time is part of our standard care for anxious patients and is not charged as a supplement.
Fees verified August 2026 from practice website. Subject to change — confirm at time of booking.
Dr Kozhaya Assaker — GDC 176427
Dr Assaker holds a DDS (2002) and a postgraduate qualification in Oral Biology (2003), followed by a Diploma in Oral Surgery and Implantology (2007). He has undertaken further clinical training in Switzerland, the USA and France. He is a member of the British Dental Association (BDA), the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) and the International Team for Implantology (ITI) — please verify active membership status before publication.
Dr Assaker speaks English, Arabic, French and Armenian, with some Polish. His clinical experience spans general and restorative dentistry, oral surgery and implantology. Patients who have been anxious about dentistry for many years consistently cite his calm and methodical manner as particularly reassuring.
Frequently asked questions — nervous patients
I haven't been to the dentist in many years. Will you judge me for the state of my teeth?
Not at all. We see patients in all stages of dental health, including those who have avoided care for a very long time. Our role is to give you an honest, supportive assessment and a clear path forward — not to make you feel guilty. Please do not let concern about your current dental condition stop you from getting in touch.
Can my first appointment involve no treatment at all?
Yes. If it would help, your first visit can be purely introductory — a chance to meet the team, see the surgery and ask any questions you have. No instruments, no clinical examination, no treatment of any kind. Some patients find this removes enough of the unknown to make a second appointment with an examination feel manageable. Simply mention this when you book.
What happens if I feel I need to stop during treatment?
Before treatment begins, we agree a clear stop signal — typically raising your hand. If you use it, we stop immediately and give you as much time as you need. There is no pressure to continue until you say you are ready. This signal is taken seriously throughout the appointment.
How do you make injections less uncomfortable?
We use topical numbing gel on the gum before giving a local anaesthetic injection, and we deliver the injection slowly to minimise any sensation. If you have had trouble with numbing in the past — or if the anaesthetic does not feel complete — tell us and we will take whatever additional steps are needed before proceeding. We will not continue treatment until you are satisfied that you cannot feel anything.
The practice speaks other languages — does that really help with anxiety?
For many patients, yes — significantly. Being able to ask questions, describe symptoms or express concerns in your first language removes a layer of stress that can compound dental anxiety. Our team speaks English, Arabic, French and Armenian, with some Polish. Please mention your language preference when you book.
Finding us in Finchley
110 Total Dentistry is located at 110–112 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London N3 2DN, a short walk from Finchley Central station on the Northern line. Street parking is available nearby. Please call 020 7998 7657 for current opening hours and to confirm appointment availability.
Take the first step — at your own pace
You do not need to have your concerns fully formed before you call. A brief message or phone call explaining that you are anxious is enough — we will take it from there and arrange your appointment with care. There is no pressure and no obligation.
110 Total Dentistry · 110–112 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London N3 2DN · info@110totaldentistry.co.uk