Fear of the dentist
Afraid of the dentist? Stress-free care
In Lugano and Bellinzona
Fear of the dentist is real, it is common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. We approach it with a dedicated pathway: time, listening and, when needed, conscious sedation.
Understanding dental anxiety
Almost one person in two feels anxious at the thought of sitting in the dental chair — often because of a bad experience in the past, a sense of losing control or a fear of pain. The risk is a vicious cycle: check-ups are put off, small problems become big ones, and treatment, when it finally becomes unavoidable, is longer and harder, confirming the fear. The circle can be broken — and it takes not courage, but the right approach.
A different kind of welcome
The first tool against fear is time: unhurried appointments, every step explained before it happens, and an agreed signal with which you can stop treatment at any moment. Nobody who is afraid is ever lectured about the state of their mouth — we are here to help, without judgement. For many patients this alone makes treatment manageable; for others, conscious sedation may help.
Conscious sedation
Conscious sedation is a state of deep relaxation, achieved with medication given intravenously and monitored continuously, in which you remain awake and able to respond, but free of anxiety — many patients remember little or nothing of the appointment. It is provided by our sedation dentist, Dr Alessandro Maria Volpi, and is suitable for most treatments, from oral surgery and implants to longer restorative work. It also makes it possible to complete in one visit what would otherwise take several. After sedation you will need someone to take you home.
The first step is a conversation
No treatment at your first visit unless you want it. We start with a conversation in which you tell us about your fear, without judgement, and a gentle dental examination. Together we choose the pathway and the pace that are right for you — and we explain in advance, with a clear estimate, what each option involves. If the telephone makes you uncomfortable, you can also message us on WhatsApp.
"If fear has kept you away from the dentist for years, don't be ashamed of it — it is the situation I see most often. The first step isn't treatment. It's a conversation."
Dr Alessandro Maria Volpi, sedation dentist
Frequently asked questions
Is conscious sedation safe?
Yes. It is a well-established procedure, carried out by a sedation dentist who monitors your vital signs continuously throughout the appointment. Before offering it, we review your medical history and any medication you take.
Will I be asleep under conscious sedation?
No. You remain awake, breathe on your own and can respond to the dentist, but you are deeply relaxed and free of anxiety. Many patients remember little or nothing of the appointment. Afterwards you will need someone to take you home.
I haven't been to a dentist for years — will you judge me?
No. It is a situation we see often and know how to handle. At your first visit we talk, assess your oral health at your pace and decide together where to start — no rush, no obligation.
Where to find us
This treatment is available at both of our practices in Ticino.