Scared of the dentist? You're exactly who we're best with.
If fear has kept you away, you're in the right place. Looking after anxious patients is one of the things we're known for. Tell us you're nervous, and we go entirely at your pace, with no judgement and no pressure.
East St Kilda Dental provides gentle dental care for nervous and anxious patients in St Kilda East, including longer appointments, agreed stop signals, nitrous oxide happy gas, clear explanations and a no-judgement approach.
Who is gentle dentistry for?
Around one in six Australian adults avoids the dentist because of fear, often after one bad experience a long time ago. It says nothing about you, and it's never too late.
People who have avoided the dentist for years
It's never too late. Most people restart with a New Patient Comprehensive Care Visit: an unhurried look at where things stand, with no lectures.
People afraid of pain or needles
Numbing applied slowly and gently, with happy gas if it helps. In pain right now? See our emergency dentistry page.
People with dental anxiety or dental phobia
From mild nerves to a full phobia, we treat anxiety as something to plan around, never something to judge.
People embarrassed about their teeth
We see teeth in every condition, every week. There are no lectures here, only a warm welcome and a way forward.
People who have had a bad dental experience before
Tell us what happened so we can do the opposite. Our whole approach is built to undo exactly that.
People who feel anxious when they are not in control
We agree a stop signal before we start and explain each step first, so nothing happens that you haven't agreed to.
A genuinely different way of working with fear
Our approach combines careful clinical care with a calm, coaching-informed way of communicating, developed specifically for dental anxiety.
A coaching-informed approach to fear
Beyond gentle hands, we understand the psychology of dental fear, and we use calm, proven communication to help you feel safe from the moment you arrive.
You're always in control
We agree a simple stop signal before we start. Raise your hand and everything pauses, no questions asked. Nothing happens that you haven't agreed to.
Unhurried time, gentle hands
We book longer, so you're never rushed through a chair. Slow, careful, and as comfortable as modern dentistry allows.
No surprises, ever
We explain everything in plain language, show you what we see, and confirm any costs before we begin — see our fees & health funds. Certainty is what calms the nerves.
Looking after nervous patients in St Kilda East isn't a sideline for us. It's one of the things we're known for.
How we help nervous patients feel comfortable
Our goal is to help you feel genuinely calm and in control, not to put you to sleep. For most nervous patients, happy gas (nitrous oxide) and a slow, gentle approach is all it takes to feel completely at ease: awake, aware and relaxed.
We book longer dental appointments so nothing is rushed, set agreed stop signals before we begin, and take breaks during treatment whenever you need one. You'll get gentle explanations of each step before it happens, and no judgement, ever. Tell us what worries you most, and we'll build the appointment around it.
This is your appointment, on your terms
Stop any time. Ask anything. Take it slow. Bring someone. Decide later.
Nothing happens without your say-so. Tell us what you need, and that's how we'll do it.Kind, gentle, and never rushed
Dr Anbar was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. Very comfortable experience as well, from my perspective there was no pain or discomfort. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a new dentist.
I’ve had years of care under this team. They are friendly, do not over charge, offer options of treatments that consider your circumstances. A clinic that has never failed to care and give me the most personalised treatment.
Dr Dean is caring, calm, patient, empathic, professional, warm and open to having a laugh. He and the team at St Kilda East Dental are amazing group who to me practice ‘dentistry as an art form’.
First up - precision and brilliant quality! Plus my dentist Anbar is so kind, gentle and careful. So I have got a dentist who I can absolutely trust, and also I get to have a friendly and nurturing, very personalized experience when I am in there.
I’ve been going to Eddy for over 20 years and couldn’t recommend him more highly. He is always professional, gentle, and extremely knowledgeable. Eddy takes the time to explain everything clearly and makes every visit comfortable and stress-free.
Writing a review after a dentist visit is not something i'm normally compelled to do, however I have been really impressed with Dr Dean and his kind, gentle and informative service that I thought I should! This is my second visit amd I highly recommend.
A calm team that genuinely gets it
Dr Anbar Ganatra and the East St Kilda Dental team regularly care for patients with dental anxiety and people returning after long gaps between dental visits.
Our team
Caring for St Kilda East since 1980
Dr Anbar Ganatra
Cosmetic & General Dentist
Dr Edmund Goldman
Dentist
Dr Jarrod Dean
Dentist
Michelle Callaghan
Dental HygienistClear costs, decided together
Cost worries can be as stressful as the dentistry itself. You'll always get a clear written estimate before anything goes ahead, and we offer payment plans for larger treatment. If you're new to us, your first visit is our New Patient Comprehensive Care Visit at one simple price with everything included. After that, regular check-ups & cleans keep future visits short and predictable.
Questions nervous patients often ask
What if I'm embarrassed about my teeth?
Please don't be. Embarrassment is one of the most common reasons people stay away from the dentist, and we see teeth in every condition every week. There are no lectures and no judgement here, only a warm welcome and a gentle, clear way forward that starts with where your teeth are today.
What happens if I panic during treatment?
We stop. Before we start, we agree a simple stop signal, usually raising your hand, and the moment you use it everything pauses, no questions asked. We'll give you time to breathe, talk through what you're feeling, and only carry on when you're ready. If you'd rather finish another day, that's completely fine.
Do you offer happy gas for nervous patients?
Yes. We offer happy gas (nitrous oxide), which keeps you relaxed but fully awake and in control, and it wears off quickly so you can drive yourself home. Let us know when you book that you'd like it. If you think you need deeper sedation, we'll talk it through honestly and help you find the safest option.
Can I bring someone with me to the dentist?
Absolutely. Bring a partner, friend or family member for support. Many nervous patients find it easier with someone familiar nearby, and we're glad to have them there. Just mention it when you book, and let us know if there is anything else that would help you feel more comfortable on the day.
What if I've had a bad dental experience before?
Many of our most loyal patients did too. Tell us what happened, what hurt or what upset you, so we can do the opposite. We'll take things slowly, explain each step before it happens and agree a stop signal first. A bad past experience is exactly what our approach is built to undo.
Can I stop treatment at any time?
Yes. You're in control for the whole appointment. We agree a stop signal before we begin, and you can use it at any point to pause, take a break or stop altogether. Nothing happens that you haven't agreed to, and if you'd prefer to finish another day, we'll simply book you back in.
Can I book a longer appointment if I'm nervous?
Yes. Tell us you're nervous when you book and we'll allow extra time, so nothing feels rushed. A longer appointment leaves room for explanations, questions and breaks during treatment. If you're new to us, your first visit, the New Patient Comprehensive Care Visit, is already 60 to 75 minutes long.
How does happy gas help with dental anxiety?
Happy gas is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe through a small mask over your nose. Within a few minutes most people feel calmer and less bothered by the sounds and sensations of treatment, while staying awake and able to talk. It takes the edge off anxiety rather than putting you to sleep, and wears off quickly.
Take the first step, gently
Book online
Choose a time that suits you. Mention that you're nervous and we'll plan a slower, longer visit.
Book a gentle visitPrefer we call you?
Leave your details and we'll call for a relaxed, no-pressure chat about what would help.
Prefer to talk it through? Call us on (03) 9527 3678.