Nervous Patients

We have built our reputation on helping put nervous patients at ease.

We know many people are anxious about visiting the dentist, so we do everything we can to help you feel relaxed and confident while you are here.

We have helped hundreds of patients overcome their fear of the dentist, and we can help you too! Please read on to find out more about all the ways in which we make your dental care journey with us as smooth as possible.

How we support nervous patients

Meet Us Before

Meet Us Before

We welcome you to come in and meet us before your first appointment, when you can ask any questions and have a look round the practice.

Gentle Care

Gentle Care

We invest in the latest technology to ensure your experience is painless, and our current patients frequently comment on how gentle we are.

You're in Control

You're in Control

We never start treatment, not even a check up, without your being ready. We will agree a signal you can give us if you need us to stop at any time.

Dental Phobia Certified

Dental Phobia Certified

We’ve been supporting nervous patients for decades and are proud to be a registered phobia-certified practice.

Friendly Team

Friendly Team

Our whole team are sympathetic to your anxieties, and we will do everything we can to ensure you are always as comfortable as possible.

Sedation Available

Sedation Available

For those who feel especially nervous about undergoing treatment, we offer sedation, to help you stay calm and comfortable throughout.

Helen was too nervous to look in her own mouth, let alone smile.

Like many people who feel anxious about dental visits, Helen was worried she would be judged for how her teeth looked. But we applaud the courage it takes to come in for treatment, and welcome everyone. She now sees her appointments as a party!

Watch Helen’s story

Phil hadn’t been to the dentist for over 17 years due to his phobia. 

Broken teeth led him Philip to find the confidence to seek help, and by creating a relaxed and supportive environment, his appointments gradually became more comfortable, and the fear that held him back for so long began to fade.

Watch Philip’s story

Shelly needed medication to even get through the door of a dental practice.

Shelly had always hated her teeth and never imagined she could receive the dental care she needed to achieve her dream smile. But after meeting Celia and the team, she gained the confidence to go ahead with Invisalign, dental implants, and teeth whitening.

Watch Shelly’s story

What our patients say...

Nervous Patients FAQs

Will it hurt?

Patients are often frightened that on their visit to the dentist they will have to sit through uncomfortable or downright painful treatment, especially if they have suffered from bad experiences at the dentist in the past. We promise this will not happen when you visit us. We use excellent anaesthetics and gentle techniques and we believe we have failed if you are not completely comfortable at all times. The most frequent comment people make at the end of their treatment appointment is “if I had known it was that painless I wouldn’t have worried about coming”.

I hate not being in control

At nothing but the tooth, you are in control. We will never start treatment, even a check up, without your being ready. We will agree a signal you can give us, such as a raised hand, if you need us to stop what we are doing at any time. If you decide part way through an appointment that you have had enough for today, we will stop treatment. You can have absolute faith that you are in complete control of what is happening at all times.

Can’t you just knock me out?

Having treatment under sedation or General Anaesthetic is not a cure for dental phobia. The next time you need treatment you will be just as scared as you are now.

We prefer to work with you at your own pace to help you overcome your fears for good with a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Neurolinguistic Programming type techniques which gradually desensitise you to the anxiety of a dental appointment.

If you are one of the few patients who feel they are not progressing with this, we can provide tablets to help just before your appointment, or we can arrange for you to receive any urgent care under sedation.

I am scared of needles

Lots of people have the same phobia, so you are not alone. We always try to use materials and techniques that do not need an injection if you are frightened of needles. If we feel that it is advisable that your teeth are numb before treatment, we will explain this to you. We can use a special gel to numb your gum first if you would like, and then our local anaesthetic injections are given so gently that many people do not even feel them. We ask our patients to score the injections on a 0 – 10 scale, where 0 is no pain at all and 10 is agony. Very nearly all our patients give a score of 0 or 1. Our highest ever score (once!) was 3.

I am frightened of the dentist’s drill

Again, this is a common worry.

If your anxiety is based on a worry that the drilling will hurt, we would refer you back to our pain free promise. You will not have to sit through any painful treatment here. Ever.

If you don’t like the noise, you are welcome to bring your iPod or MP3 player, or a CD to play.

If you dislike the sensation of drilling, we can do shorter treatments, or give you frequent “breathers”. There are even some ways of filling teeth such as the Aquacut air abrasion unit which will remove decay painlessly without any drilling at all.

I am embarrassed about how bad my teeth are

The team at Nothing But The Tooth are all experienced dental professionals, and we can promise you that we see patients with high treatment requirements all the time. It takes a lot of courage to come for treatment if you are nervous, especially when you know you need a lot of work. We applaud that, and we thank you for choosing us to help you on your way towards a healthy mouth and that amazing smile you are going to be sporting soon.

Not sure whether the treatment is for you?

Book for a free no-obligation consultation to find our more. Just call us on 0121 382 8544 or make an enquiry using our online form.

Get in touch

@NothingButTheTooth

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Our September newsletter dropped last week, and it’s filled with patient stories and some extra-special offers!🦷✉️

If you haven't already, have a read online through the link in our bio, or pick up a copy in reception 😊
Courtney wasn’t happy with the way the composite bonding on her two front teeth had discoloured over time, so she came to see Dr Vaishali Shah for a refresh. ✨

In one appointment, Vaishali carefully replaced the bonding, colour-matching it to Courtney’s own teeth for a beautiful, natural-looking result that she was really pleased with 🤍

#compositebonding #compositebondingmakeover #smilemakeover #suttoncoldfield
We're thrilled to say that... our Clear Aligner Open Day IS BACK! And you can save over £1,880 on treatment!

📅 Saturday 3rd October 2026, 8:30am – 4pm
🦷 Complimentary consultations with our Aligner Dentist, Dr Jas Gill, plus huge savings on treatment

✨ £750 off clear aligner planning and treatment
✨ Fixed and removable retainers (worth £775)
✨ Teeth whitening (worth £363)

To secure your appointment, simply call, text, email, or speak to a member of the team and our Patient Care Coordinator, Georgie, will be happy to help.
Straighter smiles are on the horizon!

📧 smile@nothingbutthetooth.co.uk
📞 0121 382 8544
📱 07983 774 132

#clearaligners #clearaligneropenday #biriminghamdentist #suttoncoldfield
A lovely thank you card from another happy patient 💖

We’re always so grateful when patients take the time to share their experience with us. It means a lot to the whole team!
“The treatment I’ve had has profoundly changed my quality of life.” ✨
 
Gemma used to feel so self-conscious about her smile that she avoided photos and smiling at social events. Now, you can’t get her away from the camera! 📸
 
We’re so thrilled to have helped Gemma not only take control of her oral health, but also get back her confidence and her reason to smile.
 
This is her story 🥰
 
#dentalpatient #dentalstory #smiletransformation #suttoncoldfield
🦷 Did you know we provide accessible care for all patients? 🦷
 
Our practice features:
➡️ Step-free access with a ramp
➡️ Two fully equipped downstairs treatment rooms
➡️ A spacious, wheelchair-accessible toilet with handrails
➡️ Wheelchair friendly front desk
➡️ Parking on site
➡️ We are guide dog friendly and welcome your assistance dog
 
If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re happy to answer any questions to ensure you receive the care you need!
 
#suttoncoldfield #dentalpractice #suttoncoldfieldbusiness
✨ Start September with a Healthier Smile! ✨

As summer comes to an end and routines settle in, it’s the perfect time to put your health back at the top of your priority list.

Did you know our New Patient Healthy Mouth Assessments are just £50? 🦷✨
This includes:
🦷 Thorough assessment of your teeth, gums, mouth and bite
📸 3D digital scan & X-rays
🔎 Oral cancer screening
📋 Personalised treatment plan

Book yours today through the link in our bio! 🔗
☎️ 0121 382 8544
📧 smile@nothingbutthetooth.co.uk

#suttoncoldfield #privatedentist
Jane’s smile transformation! ✨

A beautiful example of how a combination of clear aligners, whitening and bonding can create a brighter, more balanced smile while keeping things looking natural 🦷

Get in touch to see what we could do for you!

📞 0121 382 8544
📧 smile@nothingbutthetooth.co.uk

#BeforeAndAfter #ClearAligners #TeethWhitening #CompositeBonding #CosmeticDentistry #SmileMakeover #SuttonColdfield
Please note that the practice is closed today, Monday 31st August, for the Bank Holiday.

If you have any non-urgent enquiries while we are closed, please leave us a phone message or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
☎️ 0121 382 8544
📧 smile@nothingbutthetooth.co.uk

If you require urgent dental care or advice during our closing hours, please contact
0121 357 5000 and someone will be able to help you.

Thank you for your understanding - enjoy the long weekend!
📚 Want to know more about your dental care? 📚

Whether you're curious about becoming a member of our practice, have questions about a particular treatment, or want to find out how our Sparkle Club could help you save money while looking after your oral health, we've got you covered! 🦷✨

You'll find a whole range of helpful information leaflets and brochures in our reception area, so please feel free to help yourself during your next visit.

Or if you're not passing by, just drop us a message and we'd be more than happy to send you a digital copy 💙
What happens when you work at a dental practice and need treatment...?
Your colleagues do it, of course! 🦷
 
We’d never recommend a treatment to our patients that we wouldn’t be happy to have ourselves — so when one of us needs treatment, it’s not unusual to find a colleague in the chair.
 
From routine check-ups and hygiene appointments to more complex work, we wouldn’t choose to go anywhere else. Here you can see our Patient Care Coordinator, Georgie, having composite bonding with our Dental Therapist, Mariam ✨
 
Because if we trust each other with our smiles, you can trust us with yours. 💙

#dentalpractice #dentalprofessionals #compositebonding
Six Month Smiles BACD - British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry British Dental Association The Oral Health Foundation GDC