For nervous & anxious patients · Rugby, Warwickshire
Scared of the dentist?
You're in the majority here.
Nervous patients aren't a special case at Rugby Smiles — they're who we built the practice for. However long it's been and whatever state your teeth are in: no lecture, no judgement, nothing without your say-so. And you don't have to start in the chair — you don't even have to start with a dentist.
Just a chat — no chair, no exam, no dentist · IV sedation available for treatment · Bring someone with you, they're more than welcome
Sound familiar?
Whatever the fear is, we've sat
across from it before.
Dental anxiety is real, common, and nothing to apologise for. These are the four we hear most — and what we actually do about each one.
"I'm embarrassed about the state of my teeth."
You will not be judged — not by the dentist, not by the desk, not by anyone. We've seen everything, and our only interest is where your teeth go from here. Half our new patients start with an apology; none of them need it.
"It's the pain. And the needles."
Modern dentistry is gentler than the dentistry that scared you. We numb the area with gel before any injection, go slowly, and check in constantly — and for treatment, IV sedation means you can be deeply relaxed throughout.
"I had a bad experience years ago and never went back."
That story walks through our door every week. You set the pace this time: agree a stop signal before we start, raise a hand and everything pauses. You are in control at every moment — that's not a slogan, it's how the appointment runs.
"Even the sounds and smells set me off."
Tell us when you book. We'll give you an unhurried appointment, let you settle in before anything happens, and you're welcome to bring headphones — or someone to sit with you. Whatever helps, helps.
One step at a time
Start wherever feels safe.
Stop whenever you like.
There's no rule that says your first visit has to involve a dental chair. This is the ladder — and every rung is optional.
Just a chat — with Georgia, our treatment co-ordinator
No chair · no exam · no dentist
Book in for a sit-down chat with Georgia, our treatment co-ordinator — in a normal room, not a surgery. Tell her what worries you, what happened before, what you'd want if you weren't scared. She'll explain how we work, answer anything, and nothing clinical happens at all. Leave whenever you like, book nothing if you don't want to. Just call and ask for a chat with Georgia.
A look-and-talk check-up
£45 for new patients · usually £65
When you're ready: a gentle examination that involves nothing more than looking and talking. You'll leave knowing exactly where you stand, with a written plan and real prices — and if that's all you do this year, that's genuinely fine with us.
Treatment, at your pace
Stop signal agreed before we start
If treatment is needed, it happens on your terms: numbing gel before any injection, breaks whenever you want them, and a hand-up stops everything, instantly. Many patients are surprised to find the appointment they dreaded for years is over before the fear caught up.
IV sedation — for when you'd rather float through it
£500 per session · trained sedation team
For bigger treatment or bigger nerves, IV sedation keeps you conscious but deeply, calmly relaxed — most patients remember very little of the appointment afterwards. You'll need someone to take you home and a quiet rest of the day, and our team is trained in sedation care throughout.
Most nervous patients never need rung 4 — a few gentle visits rebuild confidence faster than people expect. But knowing it's there is often what makes rung 1 possible.
Gentle by design
How we look after you —
without needing sedation
Sedation is there if you want it — but most of what made old-fashioned dentistry frightening, we've simply designed out.
X-rays that go around your head — not in your mouth
Our panoral X-ray machine circles gently around the outside of your head and captures all of your teeth in one image — nothing wedged against your palate, nothing to bite down on. If a small close-up X-ray is ever genuinely needed, we'll explain why first and take it gently.
No more gag-inducing impressions
If a tray of cold impression putty has ever made you gag, good news: our iTero digital scanner replaced it. A small camera wand glides over your teeth taking thousands of images — no goo, no trays, and you can pause for a breather whenever you need. If you have a strong gag reflex, tell us — patients say this one change transformed their visits.
Nothing is ever a surprise
We narrate as we go — what's happening, what's next, how long it'll take. Patients mention it in our reviews: "constantly telling you what's happening". No sudden noises, no unannounced instruments, and a check-in before every new step.
Time to arrive, time to settle
Nervous patients get unhurried appointments — time to sit down, meet the team and settle before anything begins. Rushing is the enemy of calm, so we don't.
Rated 5.0 from 500+ Google reviews
From people who were
exactly where you are
"Don't like the dentist never have done that's why I avoid it until I desperately need it but this place 10/10 I'm not worried about going back constantly telling you what's happening seeing if your okay... 100% recommended rugby smiles if your scared of the dentist"
Reece T. · Google review"I recently had 2 wisdom teeth removed at Smiles with conscious sedation as I was very nervous. If anyone else is in the same position I would highly recommend Smiles (and the sedation!) It went incredibly smoothly, the staff were professional, calm and understanding and I am so relieved I did it this way!"
K. W. · Google review"I usually dread my dentist appointments, but my experience with Dr Zala completely changed that. He explained everything as he went and made me feel really at ease. Lovely, friendly practice too."
Anna B. · Google review"They were very kind and understanding. They went at a pace I was comfortable with."
Lizzie H. · Google review"So far so good! I've had 2 appointments with 2 dentists and both have been very good, helpful and friendly considering that I do not like the dentist (sorry about that) I've been made to feel comfortable"
Sofia N. · Google review"Brilliant service, very friendly, hadn't been for a while and made to feel very comfortable."
Samantha H. · Google review"First visit to rugby smiles dentist. Absolutley brilliant. They made me feel relaxed and no rushing. I would recommend this dentist fully."
Anne-Marie M. · Google review"From the moment I walked in, the staff greeted me with warm smiles and made me feel right at home. The clinic is beautifully designed, creating a calming atmosphere that instantly eases any dental anxiety."
Chloe L. · Google reviewIf even phoning feels like a lot
Leave your number —
we'll take it gently from there.
Plenty of nervous patients find the first phone call the hardest part. Skip it: leave your details below and Georgia will call you back for a friendly, no-pressure chat — nothing gets booked unless you want it to.
The honest answers
What nervous patients ask us
Can I really just come in for a chat — no examination?
I haven't been for years. Will I get told off?
What is IV sedation actually like?
I'm terrified of needles. What do you actually do about that?
Can I bring someone with me?
What if I panic on the day and can't come in?
Is the cost part of the worry?
The bravest thing you'll do
is one phone call.
Ask for a chat with Georgia. No chair, no exam, no obligation — just a conversation with someone who's helped hundreds of people through this exact door.
Rugby Smiles Dental Clinic · 3 Newbold Road, Rugby CV21 2LQ · Free parking right outside · Wheelchair accessible
IV sedation £500 per session, subject to suitability assessment. All prices confirmed in writing before treatment.