The Wellness17 September 2026Last reviewed 17 September 2026
If you feel anxious about going to the dentist, tell us when you book. At Dentistry by The Wellness, we then give you a longer appointment. You set the pace, and you can stop at any point. A 2021 global review estimated that 15.3% of adults have dental fear.
Silveira and colleagues published a systematic review and meta analysis of dental fear in adults in the Journal of Dentistry in 2021. This type of study combines the results of earlier studies to give one estimate.
They estimated that 15.3% of adults have dental fear. That is about three adults in every twenty.
They estimated that 3.3% of adults have severe dental fear. That is about one adult in thirty.
The review combined studies from different countries. It does not give a figure for the UK alone.
When you book, tell us that you feel anxious. You do not need to explain why.
At Dentistry by The Wellness, we give you a longer appointment. This gives you time to talk with your dentist before anything starts, and time to pause during treatment.
If it has been years since your last visit, tell us that too. We plan your appointment with that in mind.
If it is easier, you can tell us in a written message when you book. You do not need to say it on the phone.
You set the pace. Your dentist does not move on to the next step until you are ready.
You can stop at any point. Before treatment starts, agree a signal with your dentist, such as raising your hand. When you use the signal, your dentist pauses.
Your dentist does nothing you have not agreed to. They explain each step of your plan, and you agree to it before it is booked.
If you would like your dentist to describe each step just before they do it, ask at the start of the appointment.
Dentists and dental specialists in London carry out your treatment, and your care is booked and coordinated by The Wellness. One person coordinates your care throughout, so you deal with the same contact from the day you book.
You can start with a smile assessment, which involves no treatment. It costs from £315 and takes about 45 minutes.
Your dentist examines your mouth and photographs your teeth. They also take a digital scan by passing a small handheld wand over your teeth. You do not need to bite into impression putty.
You leave with a written plan and the exact fee for each treatment in it. Your plan and its fees are valid for six months, so you can take it home and decide later.
You decide whether and when to go ahead with each part of the plan. Nothing is booked until you choose to book it.
You can ask how long the appointment will be, what will happen, and whether you will have any treatment that day.
For a smile assessment, the appointment takes about 45 minutes. It includes an examination, a scan and photographs, and no treatment.
You can ask your dentist to explain your plan and fees before you leave, and to explain again anything that was not clear.
You can also ask to book your next appointment at a time of day that suits you.
After your assessment, some people prefer to start with a hygiene appointment. Dental hygiene with airflow costs from £225 and takes about 45 minutes.
Airflow cleaning uses a fine spray of air, water and powder to remove staining. Where you need it, the appointment also includes hand scaling, which removes hard deposits with small hand instruments.
The same approach applies at a hygiene appointment. Tell us you feel anxious, and we give you a longer appointment. You set the pace, and you can stop at any point.
After the appointment, your dentist suggests when to come back, based on your risk. NICE clinical guideline CG19, published in 2004, advises between three and 24 months for adults.
If you are in pain, book a same day emergency check up, from £375. It takes about 30 minutes.
Tell us you feel anxious when you book. Your dentist takes x-rays to find the cause and gives you treatment to relieve your pain.
If you need more treatment, your dentist explains your options and gives you the fee before anything starts. You decide whether to go ahead.
If swelling spreads towards your eye or neck, or makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to your nearest emergency department or call 999.
To start with an appointment that involves no treatment, book a smile assessment, from £315.
15.3%
of adults were estimated to have dental fear, in a global review with no separate UK figure.
Silveira and colleagues, Journal of Dentistry, 2021
3.3%
of adults were estimated to have severe dental fear, in the same global review.
Silveira and colleagues, Journal of Dentistry, 2021
24
months is the longest interval between check ups for adults, and three months the shortest, set for each person from their own risk.
NICE clinical guideline CG19, Dental checks, intervals between oral health reviews, 2004
No. You only need to tell us that you feel anxious, and we give you a longer appointment.
Not at a smile assessment. Your dentist examines your mouth, takes a digital scan and photographs your teeth. You leave with a written plan and the exact fee.
Yes. You can stop at any point. It helps to agree a signal with your dentist before treatment starts.
Yes. Tell us you feel anxious when you book, and we give you a longer hygiene appointment.
Silveira and colleagues, in the Journal of Dentistry in 2021, estimated that 15.3% of adults have dental fear and 3.3% have severe dental fear. This is a global estimate, with no separate figure for the UK.