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Categorised as:
- Advice
What is dental phobia?
Dental phobia is one of the biggest causes of the avoidance of dental care in the UK and there are a range of different triggers for dental phobia. But the good news is there are a variety of ways that you can ease your concern. We want to reassure those nervous about attending our practices that support will be readily available to help with any issues around dental phobia.
What causes dental phobia?
There are a number of reasons you may experience fear or anxiety ahead of a dental appointment:
- You can experience dental phobia at any age, regardless of how many times you’ve previously seen your dentist, and this can be heightened if you often experience anxiety. Your experience after receiving general anaesthetic can also cause you to develop a phobia.
- If you experience anxiety, this may have increased due to time away from the dentist and you may feel anxious about the safety of attending your dentist. You may even feel that because you haven’t been able to see your dentist for some time because of closure that the continuity is lost.
- Dental phobia can also be caused by the fear of needles, pain, choking/gagging or an invasion of personal space, it has many triggers.
How to ease dental phobia
- Filling out a questionnaire to highlight your levels of anxiety prior to treatment can help your dentist adjust the treatment according to your needs
- Continuity for patients with dental phobia is very important. If you have a long time away from your dentist, communication can break down, so we advise you aim to visit your dentist regularly to ensure the continuity you need to put your mind at ease
- We are now offering video consultations, which may be beneficial if you are an anxious patient. You can discuss your needs with a clinician you know and trust from the comfort of your own home, without needing the added concern of visiting the practice for any more time than is necessary
- You can try various relaxation techniques prior to and during your dental treatment. This can include sedation, or at some practices, hypnosis, as well as listening to music during treatment or wearing video goggles
- Our clinicians will talk you through the treatment process before you begin if you have specific concerns. This is called pacing and your clinician will explain each stage of your treatment, introducing you gradually to each situation to set your expectations
Meet our team
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Anil Mangat
Special interest in Periodontology
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Navneet Jhaj
Dentist
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Mo Khan
Specialist Endodontist
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Nigel D'Souza
Dentist
Anil qualified in 2001 from Cardiff University Dental School and worked in a range of dental practices in Cornwall, South Wales and Sheffield as a general dental practitioner. He was always interested in treatment of gum disease. In 2017, he undertook a 3-year MSc in clinical Periodontology at the University of Central Lancashire, qualifying in 2020.
Anil has been accepting Periodontal referrals since 2018 and undertaken and range of treatments including:
• surgical and non-surgical Root surface debridement, • surgical periodontal regeneration,
• adjunctive antibiotics for treatment of severe, non-responsive gum disease.
• Management of occlusal trauma (uneven biting forces can loosen teeth, particularly in those who clench or grind their teeth).
• Splinting of loose teeth. • crown lengthening including treatment of gummy smile (for suitable cases),
• Coordinating treatment planning with restorative, orthodontic or implant treatment where stabilisation of gum condition and accurate prognosis is needed.
Anil has a keen interest in teaching. He spent time as dental foundation trainer, mentoring newly qualified dentists through their first year in Practice and is currently an honorary clinical lecturer at Sheffield University Dental School, supporting 4th and 5th year undergraduates. He has acted as an examiner for the GDC’s Overseas registrants’ examinations.
Outside of work, Anil enjoys Hockey (though more coaching than playing these days), cycling, films and music and a trip to the gym.
Navneet qualified from King’s College London Dental Institute in 2019. Her passion for Dentistry is ever-growing as she has completed several postgraduate courses. She has completed a yearlong Restorative Dentistry programme to progress her skills further. Her keen interest for restorative and aesthetics enhanced as she attended the world-renowned course in Italy, Styleitaliano Daily Menu. Additionally, she provides Invisalign to be able to offer a complete smile makeover.
Navneet has a friendly and calm nature and she aims to empower her patients to understand and better their oral health. With her welcoming presence she thoroughly enjoys treating paediatric and nervous patients.
In the near future she aims to provide patients with evidence – based holistic approaches to aid their overall health, as outside of work, she is hugely interested in nutrition, health and wellness.
Moheen qualified from the University of Leeds in 2010. He was selected by his supervisors and tutors to be awarded the Restorative Dentistry Prize for achieving exceptional clinical work throughout his undergraduate training.
Moheen went on to a Senior House Officer role at the Manchester Dental Hospital, where he gained advanced expertise working alongside Consultants and Specialists in the Restorative and Periodontal department. He also taught undergraduates helping them become the next generation of dentists. He subsequently completed a very demanding Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery post at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
He passed his Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties examination, which encouraged him to undertake specialist training in London. Moheen completed his 4-year specialist training in Endodontics (Root canal treatment) at the Eastman Dental Hospital and was awarded entry onto the specialist list.
Moheen is exceptional with patients who are particularly nervous about root canal treatment, many of whom report that they needn’t had worried about it. He is also accepting external referrals from other dentists.
Moheen is a keen swimmer, enjoys travelling abroad and trying out different cuisines.
Nigel qualified as a dentist at Manchester university in December 1984 and has also completed a postgraduate course at Chester university in dental practice management . He set up his own dental practice in 1987 and several more over the years in Manchester , Birmingham and London .
With over thirty five years experience in NHS and private practice he keeps up to date with the latest advances and techniques . Nigel enjoys all aspects of dentistry and works closely with his specialist dental colleagues to provide the best possible treatment for his patients .
Nigel has been as an elected member on the local dental committee and also the professional execute committee for Tameside and Glossop primary care trust . In 2013 Nigel decided to sell his dental practices to a large corporate body so he could concentrate solely on patient care and around this time joined city centre dental practice .
Nigel likes to travel abroad and experience different cultures and traditions .
Should require assistance due to dental phobia, please do not hesitate to contact us
How to find us
Our practice is located in the heart of Manchester City Centre. You can find us at 31 Booth St, Manchester, M2 4AF, where we’ll be providing fantastic state-of-the-art services in a purpose-built space in a beautiful listed building. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Parking information & accessibility
Our practice is fully accessible, meaning that regardless of your mobility, we can welcome you into practice, please contact us for further information about our access. If you are travelling by car, we are within close proximity to the chargeable NCP car park at Piccadilly Plaza. Alternatively, there are number of tram and bus stops, which are just a short walk away.
