Written by Gregory Gray, Monday 7 April 2025
There’s a staircase in Kingston Upon Thames that leads to more than a dental practice. It leads to a kind of sanctuary.
But for some, even that short flight of stairs is too far.
“I’ve had patients who physically couldn’t make it through the door,” says Dr Bob Bhamra. “They got as far as the pavement and broke down. That’s the level of fear we’re talking about. And it’s not uncommon.”
At Jiva Dental, fear is not dismissed. It’s welcomed. Understood. Unpicked gently and with respect. Because no two patients arrive with the same story—but many arrive with the same weight on their shoulders.
“I Hate the Dentist…”
It’s a phrase Bob has heard a thousand times. But rather than bristle, he listens.
“Most people who say that don’t hate dentistry,” he explains. “They hate how they were once made to feel. Judged. Rushed. Hurt. Often all three.”
There are traumatic memories behind the fear—school dentists, childhood pain, indifferent clinicians. But there’s also shame. “They haven’t been in years. They feel embarrassed. Like they’ve failed. That’s why we meet them with compassion first.”
What happens when a nervous patient calls Jiva? First, they’re invited in for a conversation—not a check-up.
“We don’t throw them in a chair,” says Bob. “We invite them into a non-clinical room. No drills. No lighting. Just a space to talk.”
That consultation is free. It’s informal. And it often begins with tears. “People are relieved to just be heard. It might be the first time in years they’ve spoken openly about it.”
If the patient chooses to return, the process remains gentle. A second visit may involve scans. Maybe an examination. But always at the patient’s pace.
“There’s no script,” Bob adds. “Only the patient’s comfort zone. We go at that speed.”
Jiva doesn’t rush decisions. Scans and treatment plans are sent home. Patients are encouraged to reflect—not react.
“We don’t sell,” says Bob. “We inform. Then we pause. Empowerment happens in that pause.”
This approach is especially meaningful for women who’ve postponed treatment while juggling children, careers, or care for others. “They finally arrive at a point where it’s time to look after themselves. And they deserve a space that honours that.”
Over the years, Bob has seen remarkable patient transformations. But not the dramatic kind.
“One woman hadn’t smiled in a decade,” he recalls. “She would cover her mouth with her hand whenever she spoke. She felt invisible. And afraid.”
The treatment was clinical—fillings, orthodontics, hygiene. But the result was emotional.
“She didn’t just smile after,” he says. “She started laughing. She reconnected with her kids. She started dating again. It was a shift in how she moved through the world.”
That’s what Jiva calls dentistry for the soul.
Step inside Jiva Dental and you’ll notice it immediately: the scent of incense, soft lighting, Buddha Bar music drifting through the air. It feels more like a boutique wellness lounge than a clinic.
“This was intentional,” says Bob. “The environment matters. Smell is one of our strongest emotional triggers. If the first scent you notice is lavender, not bleach—you start to relax.”
There’s no clipboard shoved in your hand. No receptionist behind a glass window. Just a warm welcome. “It’s all designed to undo what people expect a dental visit to feel like,” he adds.
If You’ve Been Avoiding the Dentist, You’re Not Alone
Jiva Dental has helped hundreds of patients overcome dental anxiety with time, empathy and conversation. If fear, shame or overwhelm has kept you away, you’ll find no judgement here—only support. Start with a free, no-pressure consultation. Call 020 8546 0011 or visit jivadental.co.uk. Sometimes it’s not about the treatment. It’s about the trust.
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