Do you have Dental Anxiety or Dental Fear?
Most of the people who Dr Gow helps at the Berkeley Clinic have or have had a fear of dentistry. In fact it has been estimated that one person in three has moderate to severe fear of dentists causing, many people to avoid dental treatment for many years. Dr Mike Gow offers something that is quite different from the usual experience. He understands that even the process of making contact for the first appointment can be difficult and for that reason, if you would like to email him or even talk on the phone initially, he will be happy to do this. Your first visit to The Berkeley Clinic is an opportunity to meet Mike and decide if he is the right person to help you. The visit is also an opportunity to see the Berkeley Clinic itself and to make sure that you will be comfortable there.
Your First Visit
At this visit, Mike will talk through your goals with you, and also the ways he can help you to overcome any current barriers that exist. It is important to know that he will only look at your teeth at the first visit if you want and ask him to do so. Many people want to see the clinical suites and to have Mike to look at their teeth at this visit so that he can discuss some of their possible options straight away, however this is entirely your decision. Mike will always be constructive and focus on solutions rather than dwell on the problems. He knows that many of the people he helps have strong feelings other than the fear itself including anxiety, guilt, shame, embarrassment, fear of failure and loss of self esteem. You may be surprised by how quickly those emotions can be overcome with the right support and approach that Mike can offer. Mike often says that there are two treatment plans for you to make together with him. One is the treatment plan for what dental treatment you need to make your mouth healthy and improve your smile, be able to eat comfortably etc. The second is the treatment plan for what can be done to reduce your anxiety to allow this treatment to take place.
Dental Anxiety Management Services
Some of the dental anxiety management services that Mike can offer are mentioned elsewhere on WhatFear.Com, and this appointment will be an opportunity to talk these options through, and ask any questions. It may take a couple of visits and some discussion to work out what treatment plan is best for you. Once both you and Mike know what dental treatment you want from the options, and you are comfortable with the anxiety management techniques that will best suit you, you will be ready and able to move forward towards achieving your goals. It is Mike’s goal to make the entire process of visiting him as simple as possible for you, allowing you to have the treatment you need and deserve to be able to have easily and comfortably. Your appointments and any treatment will always be paced to suit you and how you feel.
At the Berkeley Clinic you are always in Control
It is important to know that you are always in full control at each appointment. Mike will teach you ‘stop’ signals that he will promise to honour and also show you the ‘dental button’- a device that gives Mike’s patients the ultimate control! Dr Gow understands that it is likely that you will not trust him yet. He knows that trust must be earned. He also knows that an important part of his work is the flexibility he demonstrates in his willingness and ability to adapt his approaches to suit individual people and their situation. This is evident in the phenomenal feedback that he gets from his patients. If you haven’t already, you should take the time to read some of the comments and testimonials previously fearful and phobic patients have given. They really do speak for themselves. Mike’s job is therefore to be there to help you over the hurdles so that you will soon be ready to have the treatment and therefore the teeth and smile you deserve to have. He will be 100% committed to helping you and surpassing your expectations. He gets enormous job satisfaction in the work he does in helping people overcome their fears and phobias.
There are essentially 3 options for the type of consultation that you can book with Dr Mike at The Berkeley Clinic. When are ready to make contact, please indicate which length of appointment you would prefer from the options below.
1. A 30 minute consultation at an investment of £80. This would take place in one of the clinical suites, and would essentially be similar in structure to most first visit consultations offered by dentists to new patients who do not have any fear or phobia of dentistry. There would be additional fees applicable for any time, xrays, or other investigations/assessments that may be required at this or subsequent visits. These would of course be discussed with you beforehand.
2. A 60 minute consultation at an investment of £170. This would take place in The Braid Suite, and if you are comfortable, also a clinical suite. This option is often very economical because as well as the lengthier consultation the investment also covers standard assessment xrays, and sedation assessment/investigations etc all of which would individually cost up to £260.
3. A 90 minute consultation at an investment of £260. This would take place in The Braid Suite, and if you are comfortable, also a clinical suite. Many people find that the 90 minute appointment is the most suitable appointment length as it allows plenty of time to talk everything through and for a treatment plan to be made. This option is often even more economical because as well as the even lengthier consultation the investment also covers standard assessment xrays, and sedation assessment/investigations etc all of which would individually cost up to £350.
All fees are fully payable on the day of your consultation at the clinic and a deposit is required at the time of booking. In cases where implants are being considered, a CT Scan may be recommended at an investment of up to £200.
