If the thought of the dentist makes you anxious, you’re not alone, and you’re very welcome here. We take our time, explain everything and go at your pace.
You’re not alone
Many of our patients hadn’t been to the dentist for years when they first came to us, often because of one bad experience. We’ll never make you feel bad about that. We’re simply glad you’re here.
Tell us you’re nervous when you book, and we’ll make sure you have the time you need. You don’t have to explain why: just let us know, and we’ll take it from there.
Why Dr Lia understands
Dr Lia, our Founder and Principal Dentist, knows what anxiety feels like. For years she had a severe fear of flying, until a course on managing and overcoming fear changed that for her.
She realised the same things that helped her, empathy, a sense of control and clear communication, could help her patients too.
She has built them into the way we care for everyone at Pearly Whites, and in 2026 the practice was a finalist for Treatment of Nervous Patients at the Private Dentistry Awards.
Call us on 020 7381 4455, or book online and mention that you’re nervous. You can complete your forms online beforehand, so there’s nothing to fill in when you arrive.
A calm welcome
You’ll be greeted by name and offered still or sparkling water, tea or coffee while you settle in.
Talk first
We start by talking: what worries you, what’s happened before, and anything you’d like us to know. Nothing happens until you’re ready.
At your pace
We explain every step before we do it, and you can stop for a break whenever you need one. Just raise your hand.
You decide
We show you what we’ve found on screen, explain your options and the costs, and nothing is booked until you’ve decided.
Gentler care
There’s a TV with noise-cancelling headphones above every chair, so you can watch something and tune out the sounds. We show you close-up photos and 3D scans on screen, so you always understand what’s happening and why.
Many treatments are gentler than people expect. Guided Biofilm Therapy uses warm water, air and a fine powder, and most people find it far more comfortable than traditional scaling. For early decay, Curodont Repair can help the enamel rebuild itself in suitable cases, with no drilling and nothing to numb. And if you need a tooth out and you’re very anxious, sedation with a visiting anaesthetist can be arranged.
A calm hygiene team
If you’ve put off the hygienist because it hurt in the past, our hygiene visits are a different experience. Opal Scott is known for creating a calm, supportive environment, especially for nervous patients, and Jade Traore for her calm, caring manner. Tell your hygienist if anything is uncomfortable, and they’ll adjust and go at your pace.
My local dentist, service is immaculate from reception to dentist/hygienist. Super friendly atmosphere, always make you feel comfortable, has changed my perspective on going to the dentist as I used to be a little scared of them!
Can't recommend enough, and special shoutouts to Lia and Chantal!
Hazel Lewis
I had Invisalign treatment here with Lia and I can’t praise her and the whole practice enough. I have slight anxiety about dentists but the whole process was absolutely fine and very gentle, I never had any problems. The guys on reception are very friendly and welcoming, they genuinely care about their patients here!
Emily King
Lia was absolutely brilliant. I needed a filling and I was nervous but Lia and her lovely team put me completely at my ease. Lia is so professional and I felt totally comfortable and well looked after. Lia is so nice and friendly and she is very thorough. The dental practice is such a calm environment, with a very nice welcome from the team behind the front desk. Pearly Whites is a great dentist practice, and they clearly care about their patients and do a fantastic job - couldn’t recommend it more.
Emma
The only dentist I've ever actively enjoyed visiting!
I used this dentist in its former guise as Perfect Smile Fulham for many years before Dr Lia and team took the helm. Since then, the practice has been transformed. It is stylish yet welcoming, with a much better layout to ensure visitors can sit and feel comfortable while they wait for their appointment. This sense of calm is Pearly Whites' whole ethos - that each person can feel at ease during their dental treatments and checkups. Dr Lia and Grant have done absolute wonders with the place and I'm so glad to see the practice going to strength to strength and that so many other customers are experiencing what I have since the day I first met Lia to nervously discuss my smile transformation! P.s. I never thought I'd be able to watch episodes of The Office while having a hygienist clean - it made it go by in a flash!
Hafsa Mohamed
I can honestly say I’ve never had nicer individuals take care of my teeth than the team at Pearly Whites. Hiba and Adeel are the best dentists I’ve ever had, they were incredibly kind, patient, and professional throughout. I’ve been struggling with panic attacks recently, and they both went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and at ease during my visit. Their calm and understanding approach made such a difference, and I truly felt cared for the whole time. I would highly recommend Hiba and Adeel at Pearly Whites to anyone, especially if you’re feeling anxious about dental visits. Hiba and Adeel deserve real recognition for their hard work and the amazing care they provide.
Rach
After avoiding the dentist for nearly 10 years, finding Dr Lia at Pearly Whites completely changed my experience. This is hands down the best dental experience I've ever had!
I'd previously had some uncomfortable experiences, which left me feeling pretty nervous and anxious about going to the dentist. But from my very first appointment, Lia completely changed that for me. I honestly have never had such a lovely experience at a dentist. Lia has such a calm, friendly way of explaining everything and always makes sure you fully understand what is going on. She makes the whole experience feel relaxed and reassuring.
I came to Pearly Whites for general dental care and then had Invisalign. During the entire Invisalign process Dr Lia was incredibly conscientious and meticulous ensuring we got the best results possible. We kept going through refinements until we were both genuinely happy with the result, which I really appreciated.
The quality of care is honestly unreal. I never thought I would describe a dental appointment as joyful, but I genuinely look forward to visiting now. Pearly Whites is hands down the best dental practice I have ever been to.
I am beyond happy with the results of the Invisalign! I never thought my smile could look this good. I'm OBSESSED and can't thank Lia and the whole team at Pearly Whites enough. Everyone who works there is an absolute delight and I would recommend this practice to absolutely anyone.
Ayah A
I have always had an amazing experience at this dental clinic for over 8 years!
I have had 4 different Dentists and they have all equally been amazing ! Amazing warm welcome from the receptionist and always polite and willing to help.
I have anxiety and all the Dentist's always made me feel at ease and realxed, so much so we ended up having lovely conversations, non dental related.
A massive bonus is the clinic has been refurbished and looks like a glamorous hotel/retreat spa! So beautiful.
Brian Emmons
First time back at the practice since Dr Lia and her husband Grant took over and had it all refurbished. Really impressed! I've been a patient of Lia's for ages so it's great to see her running things. Got a lovely welcome at reception, was offered a coffee (really good actually), and they had iPads to do your forms on which was nice and easy. Lia is just as great as always, she has this way of making you feel really relaxed and looked after. Plus there's a TV in the surgery now and I ended up watching The Office during my check up, not a bad way to get through it! Everything just felt really smooth and the practice looks great now. Feel really lucky to have this on my doorstep. Would definitely recommend, particularly if you get a bit anxious about the dentist.
Criscocu “Criscocu”
I must say this is the best dentist I've ever been. Third time in with Opal Scott the hygenist and she is absolutely amazing I highly recommend her. I am a very nervous patient and Opal has been very calm and accomodating and made me feel at ease. The treatment went so well that Opal asked me to cancel the next week appointment and rebook in three months. Amazing! A big thanks to the guys at the reception too, super friendly and welcoming.
Y S
I don't write many reviews but this one is done at request of my son.
I took him for an emergency appointment for a dental abscess. Dr Lia immediately suggested the course of action and his milk tooth was removed quickly, without anxiety and extra pain so he is on the mend now. He was very pleased how it went and so am I. The practice personnel was kind and attentive. I wish this new practice all the best!
Questions
Nervous patient FAQs
I haven’t been to the dentist in years. Will I be judged?
Never. Many of our patients hadn’t been for years when they first came to us. We’re just glad you’re here, and we’ll start by talking about what you’d like to do.
How do I let you know I’m nervous?
Tell us when you book, by phone on 020 7381 4455 or when you book online, and we’ll make sure you have the time you need.
Can I stop if I need a break?
Yes, at any time. Just raise your hand, and we’ll stop. We explain every step before we do it, so there are no surprises.
Will it hurt?
We numb the area thoroughly before any treatment that needs it, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Many visits, such as check-ups and Guided Biofilm Therapy hygiene visits, need no injection at all.
Do you offer sedation?
For extractions, including wisdom teeth, sedation with a visiting anaesthetist can be arranged if you’re very anxious.
What happens at my first appointment?
Your first visit is a new patient examination (£49, including routine X-rays). We talk first, check your teeth and gums, show you what we’ve found on screen and explain your options. Nothing is booked until you’ve decided.
My child is nervous. Can you help?
Yes. We take our time, explain everything in a child-friendly way, go at their pace and stop whenever they need a break.
I’m in pain but too nervous to come in. What should I do?
Call us. We see emergencies the same or the next working day, and we’ll get you out of pain first, gently and at your pace, before talking about anything else.
Take the first step
Book online, or call us and tell us you’re nervous. We’ll take it from there.
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