We Are Accepting New Patients  -   Private Family Dentist   -   We Are Based In Edinburgh
Private Dentist Edinburgh

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Anxious Clients

If the thought of going to the dentist makes you anxious, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is common, but it can prevent you from getting the care you need. Maybe you’ve had a past experience that made you uncomfortable, or you simply feel overwhelmed by the sounds and sensations of dental treatment.

Whatever the reason, your anxiety is valid—and we’re here to help. You deserve a calm, positive dental experience, and that’s exactly what we offer. 

Feeling Nervous About Your Visit?

Your smile and peace of mind are our priorities—no matter what brings you through our doors.

If you find yourself putting off visits due to worry or anxiety, it’s likely a sign that you could benefit from a different type of dental experience. Whether you’ve had previous negative experiences or simply feel uneasy about the unknown, our team is here to ensure you feel heard, respected, and supported at every stage.

We believe your comfort is just as important as your treatment, and we go the extra mile to ensure both are always prioritised.

A New Dental Experience in Edinburgh

What Can Help Ease Your Anxiety?

When dental visits make you anxious, knowing there are ways to make the experience much more comfortable is important. Here are a few questions you might be wondering about: 

  • Can dental treatment really be comfortable? Absolutely. With modern techniques and a caring team, you’ll find that dental visits are much gentler than you might expect.
  • What if I’ve avoided the dentist for years? It’s okay if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while—what matters is that you’re ready to take a step now. You’ll never be judged here, and we’ll help you get back on track at a pace that works for you. 
  • Are there options for managing my anxiety? Yes, we offer a range of sedation options to help you feel relaxed throughout your treatment. Whether it’s just feeling more at ease or wanting to completely relax during a procedure, there’s a solution to meet your needs. 

How Do We Tailor Treatment for Anxious Clients?

Sedation can make your experience feel effortless, allowing you to relax fully while we take care of your dental needs.

Our team is highly experienced in supporting nervous clients, and we’ve developed a range of approaches to help make your experience as calm and comfortable as possible – including the option of dental sedation provided by an experienced external specialist team, right here at our practice.

  • Personalised Support & Clear Communication: We take the time to listen and explain things simply, so you feel confident and in control at every step.
  • Sedation Options: For those who need extra reassurance, we can arrange sedation with an experienced external team – helping you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout treatment.
  • Gentle Care: Using the latest technology, like Waterlase, and gentle techniques, your treatments are designed to be as pain-free and stress-free as possible. 

Sedation for Dental Treatments in Edinburgh

Sedation: Experience Relaxed, Stress-Free Dental Care

During Intravenous (IV) sedation, your comfort is our priority. An external specialist team will administer the medication that helps you enter a deeply relaxed, dream-like state.

If you feel apprehensive about dental visits, ask us about our sedation options designed to keep you calm and comfortable.

Is Sedation Right for You?

Sedation can make all the difference for those who struggle with anxiety during dental care.

You may benefit from sedation if: 

Whether you’re looking for light sedation to calm your nerves or a more relaxed, deeper sedation, we’ll help you choose the best option to suit your needs. 

Sedation Dentistry in Edinburgh

Your Experience at Inverleith Dentalcare

Choosing a practice that understands your anxiety can completely transform how you feel about dental treatment. Here’s what makes your experience different with us: 

Sedation can make your experience feel effortless, allowing you to relax fully while we take care of your dental needs.

Key Advantages

What Our Patients Are Saying

Inverleith Dentalcare place picture
4.9
Based on 349 reviews
Clara Gore profile picture
Clara Gore
2 years ago
What a great gentle experience! Thank goodness for a lovely dentist
billy darling profile picture
billy darling
2 years ago
Outstanding service as always
Amanda Robbins profile picture
Amanda Robbins
2 years ago
Thomas Chan profile picture
Thomas Chan
2 years ago
David is very gentle and considerate with his patients. He explained every steps during the treatment. Very satisfied.
Gordon Clayton profile picture
Gordon Clayton
2 years ago
Although a double appointment with the Hygienist is not my idea of fun, Rihanna and her Assistant were as usual very pleasant and took care to carry out the various procedures with care and ensure my comfort and provide good advice for future dental hygiene. Inverleith Dental practice can be recommended for care. .
chris fowles profile picture
chris fowles
2 years ago
I had an excellent hygiene appointment today with Brianna and Peter. They were very professional and the level of cleaning was second to none. I appreciated the advice that was given at the end of the appointment regarding my at home care. Thanks!
Brian Mulholland profile picture
Brian Mulholland
2 years ago
I had a great experience at Inverleith Dentalcare. John McAleavey was very thorough during my check-up and used a camera system to create a 3D scan of my teeth, showing where plaque had built up, which was really helpful. Briana, the hygienist, did an excellent job, leaving my teeth feeling very clean. Overall, I was very pleased with the service and would recommend Inverleith Dentalcare, especially John and Briana.
Iwona Walkowiak profile picture
Iwona Walkowiak
2 years ago
I was able to secure an emergency appointment as a new patient and was impressed by the friendly and welcoming reception staff. The dentists were both positive and highly professional, ensuring a smooth and painless removal of my wisdom tooth. Thank you so much for the exceptional care. I highly recommend their services.
Dona Easton profile picture
Dona Easton
2 years ago
I cannot recommend this practice highly enough! It is a delight to visit. I am treated with courtesy, friendliness and respect from the reception staff. Likewise, my excellent dentist - Dr Chris Fowles, who is highly skilled and takes time to explain all the procedures to me, often on screen, which ensures my complete understanding of all my treatments.
David Wilson profile picture
David Wilson
2 years ago
Excellent service. Emergency appointment as lost a filling away from home. Staff were exceptionally helpful and supportive. From Reception through to Treatment it was a very positive experience. Should I move to Edinburgh I would be extremely happy to apply to join their books. Many thanks David Wilson
Jean Kenyon profile picture
Jean Kenyon
2 years ago
David Neilson profile picture
David Neilson
2 years ago
Great dentistry. I would definitely recommend.
Susanne Goetzold profile picture
Susanne Goetzold
2 years ago
Really happy with this dental practice. Chris Fowles is an excellent dentist. He takes time to explain treatment and options and also explains what he is doing during check ups and treatments, so nothing comes as a surprise. Great for anxious patients. He also has a great sense of humour. Staff always really friendly and helpful.
Mariam Aziz profile picture
Mariam Aziz
2 years ago
I would very highly recommend the Inverleith Dental clinic. They are very professional and really knowledgeable. The admin staff is very helpful and will get you the information that you need to make a decision abo the best treatments you need. Dr. John McAleavy is excellent. He was also very knowledgeable about my TMJ issues and he was really understanding during the appointment and he sign posted me to the tools I needed; this made me feel that he cares about my progress and the best outcome for my case. Overall, I had a great experience and I can confidently say that will come back to Inverleith for any follow ups and future dental needs.
mattias nuella profile picture
mattias nuella
2 years ago
The staffs were nice and big ups to Dr. Chris, my consultation session with him was good and he was friendly.
Sandra Johnson profile picture
Sandra Johnson
2 years ago
Could not ask for better treatment! Thank you so much for all your care, attention and kindness for my son Jay who is having treatment with Chris Fowles he has Cerebral palsy and cannot make it up the stairs so they use a room downstairs to support Jay, Chris has been so thoughtful and makes Jay feel at Ease and explains everything he is doing before he does it this really means a lot. Highly recommend to anyone.
Jo Nash profile picture
Jo Nash
2 years ago
I met with Dr John McAleavey as a new patient for a consultation about my complex dental health situation. I'm a nervous patient and was instantly at ease on entering the practice. John really listened to my background story and quickly spotted the source of my problems that had been missed by other dentists. My assessment was the most rigorous I've ever received, yet very gentle. John took the time to explain everything thoroughly and clearly. I left the practice with a sense of peace that I'd found the answers I'd been seeking, and confident I was in the hands of expert professionals. I'd recommend them to anyone.
I was anxious before my first appointment with Inverleith Dental - my dentist of 25 + years had retired and I needed a practice nearer home - but I should not have worried! The welcome from the receptionist was lovely - The initial conversation with the dentist was very helpful - I learned about the ethos of the practice and felt I was being listened to - in addition this chat took place before the mouth examination so I was not in the reclining position which can put the patient at a disadvantage! The receptionist was most helpful with my mobility problems on leaving The beautiful Georgian building is a bonus
Ookii Neko profile picture
Ookii Neko
2 years ago
I found Inverleith Dentalcare as I needed emergency dental treatment. They were very accommodating and managed to allocate an appointment the next day. Their service is second to none with professional and caring staff, dentists take the time to explain the procedure to the patient, and use modern standard techniques, materials and treatments. Worth every recommendation.

Your Questions Answered

Dental Sedation FAQs

With oral sedation, you’ll be awake but deeply relaxed, with reduced awareness of your surroundings. Many clients feel sleepy and pleasantly calm, which helps minimise any anxious thoughts. For IV sedation, you may drift in and out of consciousness, and it’s common to have little memory of the procedure afterwards. Both types of sedation are designed to keep you comfortable while allowing us to complete your treatment smoothly.

Yes, sedation is very safe when administered by our trained professionals. Before your procedure, we review your medical history to ensure that sedation is the right choice for you. During your treatment, our team carefully monitors your vital signs—like heart rate and breathing—at every stage to ensure you remain safe and relaxed. Sedation has been safely used in dentistry for years, and our team is highly trained in all sedation techniques.

The duration of sedation depends on the type used. Oral sedation typically lasts for the duration of your appointment, with a calming effect that can linger for a few hours after. With IV sedation, the effects are more immediate and may leave you feeling relaxed and drowsy for several hours. You’ll likely need a few hours post-visit to fully recover, so we advise arranging a restful day afterward.

Sedation significantly reduces anxiety, which in turn can lower your sensitivity to pain. Additionally, we use local anaesthetics to numb the area being treated, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Sedation helps calm both the mind and body, creating a nearly pain-free experience that makes treatment feel easier and more comfortable.

Yes, we ask that you bring a responsible adult with you if you’ll be using oral or IV sedation. Your companion will help ensure you get home safely, as you may feel drowsy afterward. For your comfort and safety, we advise resting for the remainder of the day following your appointment.

Most clients find that they can resume normal activities the next day. However, we encourage taking the rest of the day to relax and avoid physically demanding tasks. This helps ensure you recover fully from the sedative effects and allows your body to rest if you’ve had an extended or complex procedure.

Scroll to Top