Dental anxiety affects approximately one in five people in Switzerland. For many patients, this fear goes so far that they avoid dental visits for years — even when experiencing significant pain. The result is a damaging cycle: the longer since the last visit, the greater the dental problems become, and the greater the anxiety about what the dentist might find.
At our dental practice in Freienstein, we take dental anxiety seriously. We do not judge anyone for fear, embarrassment, or postponed treatments. Instead, we create an environment where you feel safe, respected, and in control — no matter how long it has been since your last dental visit. We also offer specialised care for younger patients through our Pediatric Dentistry programme, helping children build a positive relationship with dental care from the very beginning.
Dental anxiety can have many causes. Often, a traumatic childhood experience is at the root — a painful procedure, an insensitive dentist, or the feeling of being powerless. Sometimes the anxiety develops without a specific trigger, through stories from others, negative media portrayals, or a general fear of medical procedures.
Regardless of the cause, dental anxiety almost always leads to the same pattern: avoidance of dental visits, deterioration of oral health, growing shame, and increasing fear. Breaking this cycle does not require heroism — it requires a practice that works with patience and understanding. That is exactly what we offer in Freienstein.
Our approach to dental anxiety is built on three pillars: trust, transparency, and pace. Trust begins with the first contact. During a no-obligation initial consultation, you get to know our practice and Dr. Siouri — without any immediate treatment. We listen to you, take your concerns seriously, and explain every step before it happens.
Transparency means you always know what is happening and why. We show you on screen what we see, explain treatment options in understandable terms, and make decisions together with you. Where restorations are needed, we favour metal-free ceramic restorations that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly biocompatible. Pace means: we work at your rhythm. If you need a break, simply raise your hand — we stop immediately.
For patients with severe dental phobia or extensive treatment needs, we offer treatment under general anaesthesia. This means you sleep through the entire procedure and are completely unaware. Multiple treatment steps can be combined into a single session — including fillings, extractions, ceramic crowns and bridges, and more — reducing the number of dental visits to a minimum.
General anaesthesia is administered by an experienced anaesthetist who is present throughout the treatment and continuously monitors your vital signs. Before the procedure, a thorough preliminary consultation takes place where your health status is assessed and all your questions are answered in full.
In addition to general anaesthesia, we offer various levels of anxiety management to suit your individual needs. Nitrous oxide sedation (inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide) is a mild form of relaxation where you feel calm and slightly light-headed but remain fully conscious. The nitrous oxide takes effect within minutes and wears off equally quickly after treatment — you can leave the practice independently.
For deeper relaxation, oral or intravenous sedation is available, placing you in a twilight state. You remain responsive but barely perceive the treatment and usually remember very little afterwards. Combined with our compassionate, patient-centred care, we find the right solution for every individual.
We understand that even the thought of calling a dentist can cause enormous stress for people with dental phobia. That is why we make getting started as easy as possible: you can reach us by phone, email, or through our online contact form. At your first appointment, we look at your situation together — without time pressure, without judgement, and without immediate treatment. Only when you feel ready and we have a clear plan in place do we begin.
Many of our anxious patients report that they felt a profound sense of relief after their first visit and wondered why they had waited so long. We want to make that moment possible for you too.
Will I be judged for having dental anxiety?
Absolutely not. Dental anxiety is one of the most common phobias and affects people of all ages and backgrounds. At our practice, every member of our team is specifically trained in working with anxious patients — we meet you with understanding, patience, and complete respect. There is no such thing as “too long” since your last visit, and there is no shame in asking for extra support.
Can multiple treatments be completed in a single session under general anaesthesia?
In many cases, yes. One of the greatest advantages of general anaesthesia is that multiple treatments — such as fillings, extractions, professional cleaning, and other restorative work — can be performed in a single session. This significantly reduces the total number of dental visits required, which is a major benefit for patients who find each appointment stressful.
Is general anaesthesia safe for dental treatment?
General anaesthesia is administered by an experienced, fully qualified anaesthetist using state-of-the-art monitoring technology throughout the entire procedure. The risk is extremely low for healthy patients. During the preliminary consultation, we carefully assess your health status, medical history, and any potential risk factors before making a recommendation. If you would like to learn more about our team and approach, please visit our page on who we are and how we work — we are happy to answer any questions you may have.