If the thought of booking a dental appointment makes your stomach turn, you’re in very good company.

The most recent Adult Oral Health Survey for England, published in December 2025, found that 15% of adults have extreme dental anxiety, and a further 40% have moderate to severe anxiety. That’s more than half of adults feeling some level of dread about the dentist. Among people who hadn’t been for more than two years, 17% said fear was one of the reasons.

So if you’ve been putting it off, there’s nothing unusual or embarrassing about that. What matters is what happens next.

What People Are Most Anxious About

The same survey asked what makes people most nervous. The drill came top, with 37% feeling very or extremely anxious about it. Injections came next at 32%. Smaller numbers were worried about sitting in the waiting room or even just knowing the appointment was tomorrow.

Knowing which part bothers you most is useful, because it tells us where to focus. Someone who hates the sound of the drill needs something very different from someone whose anxiety kicks in the night before.

Tell us, and We’ll Adjust

The single most helpful thing you can do is let us know. Mention it when you book, write it on your medical form, or just say it when you sit down. You won’t be judged, and you won’t be the first person who’s said it that day.

Once we know, we can change how the appointment runs:

• A talk first, treatment later. Your first visit can be a conversation and a look, nothing more. You don’t have to agree to any treatment on the day.
• A stop signal. Agree on a signal, like raising your hand, and we stop straight away. Knowing you can pause at any moment makes a big difference.
• Explaining as we go. We’ll tell you what we’re about to do before we do it, so nothing comes as a surprise.
• Numbing gel before injections. A topical gel numbs the gum first so you feel much less of the injection itself.
• Breaks whenever you need them.
• Headphones. Bring your own music or a podcast to take the edge off the sounds.
• The first slot of the day, if waiting around makes it worse.

Why a Relaxed Practice Matters

A lot of dental anxiety goes back to one bad experience, often from childhood. The way to undo that is a run of calm, predictable appointments where nothing unexpected happens.

That’s where continuity helps. Seeing the same dentist each time means you don’t have to explain yourself again, and they get to know what works for you. Associate dentist Andrew Norbury has been at Ropergate for more than 15 years, and building long-term relationships with patients is a big part of how he works.

We also see children from an early age, so that the dentist becomes a normal, even boring, part of life rather than something to fear later on.

Start Small

If you haven’t been to a dentist for years, it’s normal to worry about what we’ll find, or to feel embarrassed about the state of your teeth. Please don’t let that stop you. We see patients in every situation, and our job is to help from wherever you’re starting, not to lecture you.

One low-pressure way in is a chat with one of our treatment co-ordinators. It’s free (we take a £25 deposit, which is refunded when you attend), and it gives you a chance to meet the team and ask questions before anyone looks at your teeth.

Make 2027 The Year You Go Back

The new year is a natural point for a fresh start. If you’ve been putting off the dentist, call our team on 01977 703413 and tell them you’re nervous. They’ll help you book in a way that feels manageable. Or, if you’d rather not talk on the phone, book online and add a note that you’re anxious.

You can also read about what to expect at your first private dentist visit in Pontefract, so you know exactly how the appointment will go before you arrive.