Dental Anxiety in North Dallas, You Are in the Right Place
Certified conscious sedation, judgment-free care, and a team that works at your pace. We have helped hundreds of anxious patients finally get the care they need.
Dental anxiety affects up to 36% of Americans and is one of the most common reasons people put off care until a small problem becomes a large one. We have worked with patients who hadn’t seen a dentist in a decade or more, and we are genuinely good at this. Sedation, a stop signal you can use at any moment, and appointments that move at your pace are all available here.
What options are available for patients with dental anxiety?
Dental anxiety is not a character flaw. It is a physiological response that causes avoidance of dental care, sometimes for years at a time. At Spring Valley Dental, we understand this and have built our practice around patients who find dental visits genuinely difficult.
Dr. Houshmand is certified in conscious sedation dentistry. She has helped hundreds of anxious patients, including many who had avoided care for a decade or more, finally get the treatment they needed. Patients describe these appointments as comfortable, manageable, and in many cases far easier than they expected.
What we do differently for anxious patients
| Option | What It Is | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tell-show-do | Dentist explains, demonstrates, then proceeds step-by-step | Mild anxiety; first visits | No extra cost |
| Stop signal | Patient can raise a hand at any time to pause | Anyone; standard at Spring Valley Dental | No extra cost |
| Extended appointment | Slower pace, more breaks, unhurried communication | Moderate anxiety; longer treatments | May apply for longer slot |
| Nitrous oxide | Inhaled relaxant; wears off in minutes | Mild–moderate anxiety; short procedures | Ask at consultation |
| Oral conscious sedation | Pill before appointment; deeply relaxed but awake and responsive | Moderate–severe anxiety; longer procedures | Ask at consultation |
“Nothing but kind words for this office. I used to have anxiety with anything dental, but everyone here has eased it. Clean office, kind staff, and amazing dentists. Always a great experience!”
Questions about dental anxiety and sedation
Very. Research consistently finds that roughly 1 in 3 Americans experiences meaningful dental anxiety, and up to 12% have dental phobia severe enough to avoid care entirely. If this describes you, you are not alone, and you are not the first patient to walk through our door with shaking hands.
We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety, you remain alert and can drive afterward. For moderate-to-severe anxiety, we offer oral conscious sedation, a prescription medication taken before your appointment that produces deep, comfortable relaxation. Dr. Houshmand is certified in conscious sedation and monitors you throughout every appointment.
Never. We don't ask patients to justify their anxiety. You can simply tell us you're nervous and we'll take it from there. Most anxious patients tell us that just being heard, without judgment, makes the visit significantly more manageable.
Absolutely. You are welcome to bring a trusted person to your appointment. They can stay with you during the consultation and, depending on the procedure, during treatment as well. Just let us know when you book.
Past trauma is one of the most common causes of dental anxiety and something we take seriously. Please share your experience with us, even a brief description helps us approach your care differently. We work at your pace, take extra time to explain each step, and stop immediately if you signal discomfort.