Dental Anxiety

For patients who fear needles, Smile Solutions uses computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery systems thatsignificantly minimise the discomfort of injections:

DentaPen – cordless, computer-controlled delivery

STA Wand – the gold standard for needle-phobic patients

These devices deliver anaesthetic at a controlled rate and pressure, significantly reducing the sensationassociated with traditional syringes.

We understand completely. Your first consultation can be with Dr Kia Pajouhesh himself. He is happy to personally meet any patient whose anxiety is so severe they struggle to walk through the door. This consultation takes place in a friendly, non-threatening room with no dental chair and no dental equipment – just a comfortable space where you can sit and talk. You come up the escalator to Level 1, walk into reception past our calming coral aquarium and photography studio, and meet Dr Kia and one of our senior treatment coordinators in a private consultation room. No clinical environment. No pressure. Just a conversation about your concerns and how we can help.

Absolutely not. Many of our patients come to us after 5, 10, even 20 years away from the dentist. Our clinicians are specifically trained in managing dental anxiety and will never judge you. Many of our team have been with Smile Solutions for 15 to 20 years and have helped thousands of patients in exactly your situation.

Yes. Support people are welcome at every appointment. Whether it is a partner, parent, friend, or anyone who makes you feel safer, they can sit with you during your consultation and, where practical, during treatment as well.

You are always in control. Simply raise your hand at any time and your clinician will stop immediately. We build regular breaks into appointments for anxious patients and will never rush you or proceed until you are comfortable.

Yes. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest and most widely used sedation options in dentistry worldwide. It takes effect within minutes, wears off quickly after the mask is removed, and has been used safely in dental practices for over a century. It is suitable for adults and children alike.

Yes. Our board-registered specialist paediatric dentists are experienced in caring for children who are anxious or unable to tolerate dental treatment while awake. We believe that a child’s early dental experiences can shape their confidence for years to come, so we always take a gentle, supportive approach.

Depending on your child’s age, needs and the treatment required, options may include:

• Tell-show-do communication to help children understand and feel comfortable with each step of their visit.
• Teddy bear therapy, a comfort-focused approach designed to help younger children feel safe and relaxed.
• Nitrous oxide (happy gas) to reduce anxiety while your child remains awake and responsive.
• General anaesthesia, administered by a specialist anaesthetist for children requiring extensive treatment or those who are unable to be treated safely while awake. This may be provided in our clinic or in a private hospital, depending on your child’s individual needs.

Our team understands that every child is different, and we’ll recommend the most appropriate approach to help your child receive the care they need in a calm, positive and supportive environment.

If you require extensive dental treatment, we can often complete much of it in a single sedation or general anaesthesia session, reducing the need for multiple appointments and repeated injections.

One of the advantages of Smile Solutions is our multidisciplinary team. Depending on your treatment needs, multiple clinicians can work together in a coordinated sequence during the same appointment. For example, an endodontist may perform root canal treatment, a periodontist may place dental implants or treat gum disease, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may remove teeth, and a prosthodontist or general dentist may complete crowns, CEREC restorations or other restorative treatment.

For patients with significant dental anxiety, this approach can be life-changing. Rather than facing several separate treatment visits, you undergo one carefully planned session and wake up with the majority of your treatment already completed.

During your consultation, we’ll develop a personalised treatment plan and discuss whether completing your care under sedation or general anaesthesia is the right option for you.

Yes. For patients who need or prefer a hospital environment, our board-registered specialists can perform dental procedures under general anaesthesia in a private hospital, with care provided by a specialist anaesthetist.

Hospital-based treatment may be recommended for patients requiring complex procedures, those with certain medical conditions, or people with severe dental anxiety or phobia who do not feel comfortable receiving treatment in a traditional dental setting.

Smile Solutions has more than 20 board-registered specialists across six dental specialties. In Australia, only board-registered specialists are permitted to perform dental procedures in a hospital setting, giving patients confidence that they are receiving care from highly qualified clinicians.

For procedures performed in our clinic under general anaesthesia, patients recover in our dedicated recovery room, where they are monitored in a calm, private environment until they are fully alert and ready to go home.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your treatment options and recommend the safest and most appropriate setting based on your individual needs.