Meet Dr Frances
Carling-Thom
Dr Frances Carling-Thom is the clinical lead for the Dentistry for Nervous Patients service. She is responsible for all clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and oversight of sedation dentistry provided through the service.
Her work focuses on patients who find dental treatment difficult due to anxiety, fear, or previous negative experiences and who require a structured and supportive approach in order to receive dental care safely.
Clinical background
Dr Carling-Thom is a qualified dental surgeon with many years of experience in both general dentistry and sedation dentistry. Over time, her clinical practice has increasingly focused on the care of nervous patients, particularly those who have avoided dental treatment for long periods.
She regularly treats patients who:
- Experience significant dental anxiety or panic
- Have had difficult or traumatic dental experiences
- Feel unable to cope with conventional dental treatment
- Require IV sedation to allow treatment to be carried out
Experience in IV sedation dentistry
IV sedation dentistry requires specific training, experience, and clinical judgement.
Dr Carling-Thom has extensive experience providing IV sedation for nervous patients across a wide range of dental treatments.
Sedation is used as a clinical tool, not as a default approach. It is recommended only when:
Clinical approach
Dr Carling-Thom’s approach to patient care is structured, methodical, and unhurried.
- Clear explanation of procedures and options
- Careful assessment of medical and dental factors
- Ensuring informed consent at all stages
- Allowing patients time to consider decisions
Patients are not rushed into treatment and are encouraged to ask questions before proceeding.
Understanding consultation roles
- Non-clinical
- Focused on discussion and explanation
- Not a dental examination
- Not a diagnostic appointment
Clinical consultation with Dr Frances Carling-Thom (paid)
- Dental assessment
- Medical history review
- Diagnosis
- Treatment planning
- Sedation suitability assessment