Anxious about the dentist? You're in safe hands
At our friendly St Margarets practice, we understand that dental visits aren't always easy. Our calm, gentle team takes the time to put nervous patients at ease - and for patients who'd prefer sedation, we have a trusted referral pathway to our sister practice.
How we look after nervous patients in Twickenham
Dental anxiety is far more common than you might think - and it's something we hear about every single day. Some patients haven't been to a dentist in years because of their fears. Others are nervous about a specific treatment, or struggle with feelings of being out of control in the chair. Whatever's behind it, you don't need to feel embarrassed - we won't judge, we won't lecture, and we won't rush you.
Our approach is built on three things: time, kindness and honest communication. We take longer with nervous patients, we explain everything before we do it, and we'll always pause if you need a break. For most nervous patients, this gentle approach is more than enough. For those who'd prefer sedation, we have a trusted referral pathway in place with our sister practice.
What our nervous patients in St Margarets say
S J.
Wonderful experience this morning from booking, reception to my appointment with Rachel, hygienist. She is very knowledgeable and gave lots of good advice.
Sagar L.
The check-up and cleaning were excellent, and I really appreciate how thorough and professional you both were. You made me feel comfortable, and I'm very happy with how everything went. My teeth feel great!
Kay H.
Wow...what a relief!! I am so lucky to have found an NHS dentist near me who are welcoming and efficient. Emily Johnson was gentle, patient and thorough and clearly very knowledgeable.
Steve S.
Dr Emily and the entire staff did a fantastic job making my daughter feel comfortable on her first ever trip to the dentist. I would recommend St Margaret's Smiles to anyone looking for a professional, caring and supportive environment.
Jo R.
Rachael and Kiran were great! Rachael was a very thorough, friendly and informative hygienist. Kiran was fantastic supporting as a nurse. A great experience - from someone who never particularly enjoys visiting the dentist!
Jane R.
I am a nervous patient and Smiles made me feel at ease, especially Emily my dentist.
Glen M.
Great dentist great staff excellent service.
Neda D.
I must say my recent visit to St Margarets Smiles was extremely pleasant. Receptionist Jess was very helpful, and Rachel the dental hygienist explained so clearly how I can improve the health of my teeth. I won't be afraid to come again.
Marina L.
Great experience at this dental clinic. The staff were very friendly and gave excellent attention to my child, making him feel comfortable. Everything was explained clearly and in a very kind way. Really glad we chose this clinic.
Karen J.
As always, St Margarets Smiles is welcoming and knows its patients. I had two appointments, one with the hygienist and then with Mr Panesar. Both were done quickly and efficiently.
Anna H.
Great practice, wonderful doctors and very pleasant staff.
Catherine M.
Lovely new front teeth.
Ian B.
Excellent professional dentist practice.
Barbara D.
Great care as always!
Dagmara Z.
Very happy with the practice.
Thomas G.
Very good service, thanks.
Nombasa N.
Always a good experience.
Dan B.
Even through the midst of an IT crash everyone was super friendly and helpful.
Sophie B.
Professional, kind and helpful.
Pankaj T.
Fatima is amazing, very helpful and kind. Dentist is amazing.
David F.
Friendly staff, excellent service.
Karim A.
Fatima is lovely, always smiley face and great service.
Harriet D.
Emily is so kind and professional, it makes a big difference.
Noreen R.
I can't thank Dr Emily Johnson enough for the care she is taking with my teeth.
Lauren A.
Great experience with Dr. Emily and new receptionist staff. Very friendly and informative.
Barbara B.
Farzana - 100% the best hygienist and a thoroughly lovely person I have ever had - today was my second with her - perfect and thank you.
Caroline R.
Excellent care! Real understanding of my deafness and such supportive team. I really thank you.
Niki S.
St Margarets Smiles is the best by miles. Lisa on reception is particularly warm and friendly and puts one immediately at ease.
Laura K.
Very happy with St Margaret's Smiles. Easy to book appointments and really friendly staff. Emily and Fatima, thank you.
Ed W.
Prompt, friendly and professional treatment. Highly recommended.
Susan B.
Crown expertly fitted. Quick and efficient service. Pleasant friendly staff.
Ella D.
I had a great experience with Emily the dentist, everyone was very very friendly and made me feel at ease.
Michelle C.
I visited the hygienist today and she did a wonderful job. I haven't had them cleaned for about 6 years and she has done wonders in 30 minutes. Highly recommended!
Katherine M.
Excellent customer care. Highly recommend.
Susanna H.
My last appointment was hygienist, she was brilliant! The dental nurse with her was great too, highly recommend.
Andrew W.
A very thorough check up. Course of action clearly explained. I needed to be referred to Kingston hospital for some restorative treatment and this referral happened promptly.
Olivia L.
While going to the dentist is hardly a pleasant experience, the team really make up for it. The super lovely and personable receptionist will put you at ease before being seen by the professional and swift dentist. Having used both NHS & Private the level of care is always top notch.
Argita P.
I had a wonderful experience. The staff was friendly, professional, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. The clinic was clean and well-organised, and everything ran smoothly.
Keith S.
Very polite and friendly practice. They do take personal care of patients. I felt very comfortable. Rachel is very diligent and offered great advice. I felt very much at ease.
Ben J.
Had a great experience at St Margaret Smiles with Dr Emily and Fatima, very thorough with my examination. Lisa the receptionist was also very welcoming.
Emanuela G.
Gentle and polite manners towards my little one and professional.
Tania T.
Everyone was very kind and helpful but overall very professional.
Abigail A.
Very good service! I had Farzana as my hygienist — she was professional, friendly, and made the whole experience comfortable. Would definitely recommend!
Nigel C.
I've been coming here for years. Flexible, friendly and efficient. Dentist and hygienist.
Keith G.
The hygienist was very good, gentle and thorough, with great communication of what was happening.
Ruth S.
The hygienist did a thorough job and gave me good advice.
Kelvin L.
Dr Emily was very patient and helpful. She was treating my younger son with lots of care and explaining along about what she was doing to my son. I'll recommend her to others.
Jim M.
I'm not the best patient in the world but was very satisfied with the treatment received. Dr. Emily, assisted by Fatima did a great job of making me comfortable and carried out their work really well. All the staff seem very competent and helpful.
Tyler D.
From the receptionist to the dentist, great service, very professional, I'm glad to be a patient at this place, thank you ladies.
Brad H.
Got a checkup for myself and my toddler. Great service and friendly staff - thanks Emily for the checkup! I also went back for some dental hygiene work and my teeth are much cleaner now.
Ianstrax
All the procedures I have had have been performed with care and skill. This is a practice that I would highly recommend.
Arki H.
Rachel was amazing she deserves a bonus. Come see her immediately if you got problems.
Ester K.
Very friendly and professional dental clinic. I also found the most gentle and accommodating hygienist there for my sensitive teeth, while she cleans them very well. Short waiting time for appointments and very flexible and friendly staff and environment. My son loves going there too, for check up and hygiene appointments.
Gregory C.
The service was excellent, and the product exceeded my expectations both in ease of use and result.
Katalin P.
Excellent service. Both of my sons were treated here. We are very pleased with St Margarets Smiles.
Dot H.
I'm always nervous about visiting the dentist, but Emily and the staff were very understanding. Emily's treatment was steady and gentle. Thank you for making the visit as comfortable as possible for an anxious lady.
Liberty D.
I couldn't recommend St Margaret's Smiles more! I am someone who is a nervous client when it comes to seeing a dentist. However my experience with Emily & Farzana has been great. They both made sure I was well looked after & made me feel at ease! As soon as you walk in, the receptionists are attentive and lovely.
Duy P.
Dr Emily is very good. Highly recommended. Professional, skilful and gentle. The surgery has the latest equipment, appointments manager is also great. My whole family is now registered with Dr Emily.
Diana W.
As always a first class service... I have been at this practice since 1998... always consistently good. From fillings crowns and general care I would recommend 100%.
Derek D.
Helpful and super friendly receptionist and excellent hygienist who took great care. I'm obviously not a fan of going to the dentist but they make it far easier to have a much better experience.
Vanessa D.
Best dentist I have ever had! Dr Emily has really helped me overcome my phobias and helped manage my dental care proactively.
Ali C.
Mine and my children's experience at St Margarets Smiles is always a very positive one. A super friendly front of house team, dental staff and an amazing hygienist!
Andrea D.
Mr Panesar is an excellent dentist, who works with care and precision and is always ready to explain the treatment he is recommending. A particular thanks to two new receptionists, Lisa and Adrienne, professional and helpful and able to find a spot for a semi-urgent treatment for me. Really appreciated.
Angela K.
Hygienist Rachel was wonderful... warm and welcoming but much more ... she's informative about the process and gives clear advice!
James
Excellent care and attention kindly provided by Dr Emily and her assistant as well as by hygienist Emily. Dr Emily took care to explain everything carefully and took photographs to illustrate her explanations. She listened to my concerns equally carefully and acted accordingly.
Dean S.
I took my 1 year old for their first check up at St Margaret's Smiles, the receptionist and the 2 dental nurses were fantastic and very professional, it was also extremely clean and tidy. There was also no tears.
Susan C.
From the lovely, helpful, friendly receptionist, I think her name is Lisa, to the dentist who explains everything and will only do work necessary, this practise is amazing. I've been coming here for years and would never dream of going elsewhere. The receptionist was extremely helpful when I phoned for an emergency appointment at 9am and got one at 11am.
Joanne M.
Rachel the Hygienist was very thorough with the children and guided them on good brushing technique and answered all their questions. Adrienne on the front desk was great at keeping the children occupied while they waited. Great service and very happy kids.
Kat K.
I had a really lovely experience at my first hygienist appointment! The lady on reception was super welcoming and friendly. Rachel was really friendly and informative during my appointment where she made me feel at ease (I'm not a fan of the dentist) and made me feel really good about my teeth! The dental assistant was also very gentle and nice! The experience has made me feel much better about coming for hygienist appointments in the future.
Margot L.
I had my appointment with Rachael and it was definitely the best dental appointment I've ever had. She was so lovely and kind and explained everything step by step so I knew what was happening. Also gave very good advice and overall made sure I was comfortable and informed. Would recommend seeing her for anyone who is nervous about getting their teeth cleaned.
Your gentle dental journey, step by step
Getting in touch
Just let us know when you book that you're feeling nervous - either when you call or in the notes section of our online booking. We'll make sure to allow extra time for your appointment so you don't feel rushed.
A relaxed first chat
Your first visit doesn't have to involve any treatment at all. We can simply have a chat about what's worrying you, what you'd like to achieve, and what feels like a manageable next step. Some nervous patients spend their entire first appointment just talking - that's absolutely fine.
A gentle examination (if you're ready)
When you feel ready, your dentist will carry out a gentle examination, explaining everything as they go. We use simple agreed signals - a raised hand, for instance - so you can pause us at any point if you need to.
Building up gradually
Many nervous patients find their confidence grows visit by visit. We'll plan any treatment in small, manageable steps, starting with the easiest first - often a hygiene appointment or a routine check-up - so you can build trust at your own pace.
Sedation, if it's right for you
For patients who would benefit from IV sedation, we'll arrange a referral to Dr Frances Carling-Thom at our sister practice, Richmond Hill Dental. Frances is well known for her work with nervous patients, and the option of IV sedation can transform what previously felt impossible into something genuinely manageable.
Who do we look after particularly carefully?
Our gentle approach is suited to anyone who feels apprehensive about dental treatment, including:
The friendly faces putting you at ease
At St Margarets Smiles, you'll be looked after by a team chosen as much for their warmth and patience as their clinical skill. Dr Emily Johnson is particularly known for her gentle, calm approach - she enjoys caring for patients of all ages and is brilliant at helping anxious patients feel relaxed and in control.
Our hygienist Rachael Kayibanda also has a particular interest in working with nervous patients, drawing on her own personal experiences to provide care that's empathetic, reassuring and patient-centred. For patients who would benefit from IV sedation, we have a direct referral pathway to Dr Frances Carling-Thom at our sister practice, Richmond Hill Dental, who has built her career around helping nervous patients access the dental care they need.
Why nervous patients trust our practice
There's a lot to be said for being looked after by a team that genuinely understands dental anxiety - and a few small things can make a big difference.
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Unhurried appointment times
Clear, honest communication
No judgment, ever
Take-a-break signals welcome
Sedation pathway available
How much does a gentle dental visit cost in Twickenham?
For new patients, our examination is just £30 (usually £60), which includes plenty of time to talk through your concerns before any clinical work begins. There's no extra charge for being a nervous patient with us - we always allow the time you need. After your first visit, ongoing routine check-ups start from £30.
For patients referred to our sister practice for IV sedation, costs are quoted separately by Richmond Hill Dental at consultation. Full pricing for all our treatments is available on our fee guide page.
Routine check-ups from
Your nervous patient questions answered in Twickenham
I haven't been to the dentist in years - will I be in trouble?
Absolutely not. We see patients all the time who haven't been to a dentist for years - sometimes decades. There's no judgment, no lecture, just a warm welcome and a relaxed conversation about what feels manageable as a first step. Many of our most loyal patients started out as nervous returners.
Can I just come in for a chat first, without any treatment?
Yes, of course. Some nervous patients book a first appointment just to meet the team, see the practice and talk through what's worrying them - with no examination or treatment at all. We're happy to do this if it would help.
Do you offer sedation at the practice?
We don't currently offer IV sedation directly at St Margarets Smiles, but we have a trusted referral pathway in place with our sister practice, Richmond Hill Dental, where Dr Frances Carling-Thom provides IV sedation. Most nervous patients find our gentle, unhurried approach is enough on its own - but for those who'd prefer sedation, we'll happily arrange the referral.
What is IV sedation, and how does it work?
IV sedation involves a sedative medication being given through a small needle in your hand or arm, which puts you in a deeply relaxed state for your treatment. You remain conscious and able to respond to instructions, but most patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterwards.
Can children be nervous patients too?
Absolutely - it's one of the most common reasons for children to put off coming to the dentist. We take great care with our younger patients to make their visits as positive and reassuring as possible, which helps them build a lifetime of healthy dental habits.
What if I have a panic attack in the chair?
It's okay - it happens, and we're prepared. We'll always pause, give you space, and only continue when you feel ready. We use simple signals (like a raised hand) so you can stop the treatment at any point, no questions asked.
Do you accept nervous patients from outside St Margarets?
Yes, we welcome nervous patients from across the TW1 postcode and the wider Richmond upon Thames borough - including East Twickenham, Isleworth, Whitton and Strawberry Hill. We're a short walk from St Margarets train station with pay-and-display parking right outside.