The Gentle Dentist

The Gentle Dentist is a dental practice on Shelton Street in Covent Garden led by Dr Antonia Paolella. As the name suggests, it has built its reputation on caring for nervous and anxious patients in what it describes as a calm, friendly and professional setting, and it holds Dental Phobia certification for treating people who find dental visits difficult.

The team consists of Antonia, her specialist colleagues and assistants who are specially trained to relax patients and build their confidence. Many patient testimonials mention relationships spanning ten to thirty years, which points to a long-standing and loyal following built on trust, and the practice promises that from the moment a patient walks through the door the emphasis is on support, empathy and first-class treatment.

Dentist for nervous patients in Covent Garden

The practice offers a full range of dental treatments, from hygiene, white fillings, root canal treatment and gum disease care to cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, dental implants and Same Day Teeth. It also provides muscle-relaxant treatment for bruxing, and conscious sedation is available for those who need extra help getting through an appointment. Sterilisation and infection control are given their own place in the list of services, a sign of the practice's attention to reassurance.

What to expect on a visit

An initial appointment comprises a full dental examination, necessary radiographs (excluding OPG), a detailed treatment plan and explanatory literature for a fixed fee of £145. The practice opens 9am to 8pm on Monday, 9am to 9pm on Tuesday, 8am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 8am to 4pm on Friday, with early and late slots available most days and weekends closed. It is one of the dental and medical practices in Covent Garden, with Drury Lane Dental Care on nearby Shorts Gardens as an alternative.