Our specialty
You’re Not Broken. You’re Not Weak. You’re Just Scared.
And that’s okay. Dental anxiety is one of the most common fears in Australia. If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your stomach drop, this page is for you.
You’re Not Alone in This
Studies suggest that around 1 in 6 Australian adults experience dental anxiety, and for many, that anxiety is severe enough to avoid the dentist entirely. Some for years. Some for decades.
Maybe you had a bad experience as a child
A painful visit, a dismissive dentist, or being held down for treatment can leave scars that last decades. Those feelings are valid — and they don’t make you a difficult patient.
Maybe you’re embarrassed about your teeth
The longer you stay away, the worse you imagine things have gotten, and the harder it becomes to pick up the phone. It’s a cycle we understand intimately — and we know how to break it gently.
Maybe it’s the sounds, the smells, the loss of control
The whine of the drill. The antiseptic smell. Lying back with your mouth open while someone works above you. These are real, sensory triggers — and we take every one of them seriously.
Maybe life just got in the way
Kids, work, moving, money — there are a hundred reasons people fall out of the dental routine. And then three years becomes five, five becomes ten, and calling feels impossible. We get it. You’re here now.
How We Make It Different
This isn’t a corporate practice with laminated scripts about anxiety. These are things Louis actually does, every day, because he genuinely cares about making this easier for you.
We Start With a Conversation
Your first appointment doesn’t have to involve any treatment. If you need to just sit in the chair, have a chat, and leave — that’s a successful visit. We go at your pace, not ours.
A Stop Signal That Actually Works
Raise your hand at any time and we stop. Not “just a second”. Not “almost done”. We stop. Immediately. You are in control of what happens in your mouth, always.
Longer Appointments, Less Rushing
We book extra time for anxious patients so there’s no pressure. If you need breaks, you take breaks. If something needs to be spread over two visits instead of one, that’s fine.
Explain Everything, Hide Nothing
Fear of the unknown makes anxiety worse. Louis explains every step before he does it — what he’s going to do, what you’ll feel, how long it takes. No surprises.
Same Dentist Every Time
Building trust takes time. Louis is the only dentist here — he’s not going to hand you off to someone you’ve never met. The relationship you build stays.
Bring Support If You Need It
Your partner, a friend, a parent — whoever makes you feel safer. They’re welcome to sit with you in the treatment room. Whatever helps.
Sedation Options
Sometimes a calm environment and a gentle approach aren’t enough on their own. That’s okay — we have options to help you relax further.
Happy Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
A mild sedative inhaled through a small mask over your nose. It creates a warm, relaxed feeling within minutes. You remain fully conscious and can communicate normally throughout.
- Takes effect in 2–3 minutes
- Wears off within minutes after removal
- You can drive yourself home afterwards
- Suitable for mild to moderate anxiety
Oral Sedation
A prescription tablet taken before your appointment to reduce anxiety significantly. You’ll feel deeply relaxed and drowsy but remain conscious. Many patients don’t remember much of the procedure.
- Taken 30–60 minutes before appointment
- You will need someone to drive you home
- Effects last several hours
- Suitable for moderate to severe anxiety
What to Expect on Your First Visit
No surprises. Here’s exactly what will happen when you walk through our door for the first time.
A Warm Welcome
You’ll be greeted by name. No clipboard shoved in your face. Just a hello, an offer of water, and time to settle in. If you’re feeling nervous, tell us — or don’t. We can usually tell, and we’ll adjust accordingly.
A Chat, Not an Exam
Before anything clinical happens, Louis will sit with you and talk. What brings you in? What are you worried about? What’s happened in the past? This conversation sets the tone for everything that follows.
A Gentle Look (Only If You’re Ready)
If you’re comfortable, Louis will take a gentle look at your teeth. If you’re not ready for that today, that’s completely fine. We can book another visit where you feel more prepared. There is zero pressure to do anything you’re not ready for.
Honest, Clear Options
If there is work to be done, Louis will explain what he found, what the options are, what he’d recommend, and what it will cost. No pressure to decide on the spot. Take the treatment plan home, think about it, call with questions.
You Decide What Happens Next
You’re in charge. If you want to start treatment today, great. If you need a week or a month to process, also great. If you just needed to prove to yourself that you could walk through the door — that counts. We’re proud of you for being here.
Haven’t Been in Years?
Three years. Five years. Ten years. Twenty years. We’ve seen it all, and we can tell you with absolute certainty: it is never as bad as you think it’s going to be.
The scenarios you’ve been playing in your head — the ones where everything is terrible and the dentist looks at you with that face — they don’t happen here.
Here’s what actually happens: you walk in, we have a chat, we take a gentle look, and we make a plan together. Most patients leave saying, “I wish I’d come sooner.”
The hardest part is making the call. Everything after that, we make easy.
Common Questions
What if I haven’t been to the dentist in years?
You’re not alone — we see patients every week who haven’t visited a dentist in 5, 10, even 20 years. There’s no judgment here. We’ll start with a conversation, not a drill. The first visit is about understanding where things are and making a plan together.
Will you judge me for the state of my teeth?
No. Full stop. Louis has seen everything, and his job is to help — not to lecture. He focuses on where you’re going, not where you’ve been. You won’t get a guilt trip, a disappointed look, or a “you really should have come sooner.”
Can I bring someone with me for support?
Absolutely. Bring your partner, a friend, a parent — whoever makes you feel safer. They’re welcome to sit with you in the treatment room.
What if I have a panic attack in the chair?
Then we stop, sit you up, and give you time to breathe. No one is going to hold you down or tell you to tough it out. If you need to reschedule, that’s fine. If you want to try again after a break, also fine. This is your appointment.
Do I need a referral?
No referral needed. You can call us directly on (07) 5445 8400 or book online. If you’d rather text or email first, that’s fine too — whatever feels most comfortable.
How much does sedation cost?
Happy gas is an additional fee on top of your treatment cost. Oral sedation costs vary depending on the medication used. We’ll always discuss fees upfront so you know exactly what to expect — no surprises.
The Hardest Part Is Making the Call
You don’t need to have your teeth sorted out before you come. You don’t need a brave face. You just need to get here.
We’ll handle the rest.