Patient Testimonials

After a disappointing experience with a dentist a number of years ago I became a nomadic patient travelling from practice to practice and never settling. After realising my teeth were in need of some quality attention I decide it would be a good idea to follow the holistic approach. I live in Southampton and had a number of options but decided to choose the Holistic Centre at Farnham and see whether my dental experiences could really be improved. Firstly, I would like to list the key players that I have encounter on my visits. Sharon Johnson, Practice Manager Friendly, efficient, diplomatic and extremely well organised. Heidi Page, Dental Nurse Friendly, right hand woman of Emma, who you simply can not live without in any dental practice. Jane Rous, Therapist/Hygienist Jane is really passionate about her work and it shows. If you want a clean healthy mouth, Jane is your woman. Emma Davison, Principal Dentist Extremely charming, friendly, excellent communicator, and has exceptional hand dexterity, with a light touch. I could write endless words on the individual treatments I received, but I am not sure that is really useful if you are trying to make a decision as to whether you should entrust your money and your teeth to any one particular dental practice.

Well, what do I really think, are they any good? Is it worth the effort of travelling and the cost or are they just like the rest? I very happy to say that yes it is worth the effort. They are a team that is playing in the premier league of dentistry. The end results are first class. They work as a team and it shows. Individually they are all very strong in their particular areas. There is no weak link and Emma is exceptionally skilled dentist. The last time I nearly fell asleep while being treated. They really do listen to you and act on it. I have, on a number of occasions, asked for particular treatments and they have been willing and able to accommodate my requests. In regard to the costs there are number of choices, so it is all down to the materials you wish to select and treatments. High quality dentistry will cost more (in terms of the equipment, materials and skills) but when you remember the number of years the dental work will last and how important your teeth are to your general health it really is worth it. If you are a nervous patient you will not find any one better to treat you. In many ways I am surprised to be writing this recommendation because after many years of life and many disappointments it makes a refreshing change to be able to write about a very good, positive experience having had no connection with this practice until I became a patient. At last I am beginning to smile again.

 

After much research in respect of Holistic Dentistry, it was an absolute delight to discover Holistic Dental Centre in Farnham. As a patient of the Royal Marsden following many years of intensive treatment it was even more important for me to now identify a leading HOLISTIC dental practitioner.

I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful care, kindness and outstanding team at Holistic. I am a patient of Dr Gareth Rhidian. He is truly one of the best - if not the best dentist - I have encountered. For many years I was with a London dentist, in Harley Street. When he left the UK to go to Washington, I felt I would never replace him. However, I was most certainly proved wrong. Gareth and his team are second to none. It is always a pleasure to deal with Sharon, who is charming and a highly professional Practice Manager. She took the time to explain in great detail at the outset the different materials utilised re crowns and fillings in respect of holistic dentistry. She has always been first class in all my dealings with her. Sharon has a wonderful manner and she is a credit to the Practice.

Dr Rhidian! My truly grateful thanks to you for your outstanding work. You have made sitting in the dental chair pleasurable! I can honestly say I have never felt so relaxed, and confident when undergoing major dental work. Within a short time I am the proud owner of 3 new Crowns all of which are perfect. Your work is superb. It is a true pleasure to be a patient of yours. Your attention to detail is as meticulous as your excellent work. Forever THANKS. A great Superstar in Holistic Dentistry.

With warm wishes
Marilyn

 

Dear Dr Rhidian

Thank you for your letter of the 25th May 2005 and sorry it has taken me so long to reply.

I would like to say that I was very satisfied with my course of treatment for extracting my amalgam fillings. I was full of apprehension before having it done, but was amazed how pain free it all was. Your staff were very pleasant and friendly.

I have noticed that since having my fillings replaced my energy levels have improved and I don’t feel the cold like I used to.

Thank you.

A.H - Liphook

 

Dr Rhidian

Just a quick note to let you know how I have been doing since the end of the treatment.

I have seen a great improvement since August. I have now come off of the citalopram and amytriptoline. Also I have been able to begin exercising.

During the last three weekends I have done quite long cycle rides (over 13 miles) which isn’t bad for someone who couldn’t walk 1⁄4 mile without considerable pain. Also I can walk upstairs without any pain.

Thanks for your help.

N.W - Eastleigh

 

Dear Gareth

Thank you, Rachel, Sharon and Pat for meeting my dental healthcare needs. As you know I was keen to have my amalgams removed for many health reasons.

I found the whole experience pain and stress free, in fact I looked forward to each visit, as it was one step nearer to becoming Mercury Free. I complement you on having a very professional team working with you.

What I found particularly reassuring was that you explained what you were doing as you worked on my teeth, constantly asking if I was OK was helpful also.

The anaesthetic you used was quick acting and very effective which also wore off quickly after the treatment and was completely gone before I had even got home. I am not bothered about needles but I cannot remember seeing one, which would be comforting to any one who is Aichmophobic.

I am confident that I made the right choice to have my amalgams removed, along with the big bad tooth that I never knew was there. It now remains to coax the mercury out of my body.

One of the many symptoms I have had, for over 10 years was a sore tongue. Whenever I ate or drank anything my tongue would be sore along with a metallic taste in my mouth that was partly relieved by brushing my teeth. I have mentioned this to my NHS dentist several times but he could never provide a diagnosis or remedy.

My doctor sent me to Guys' hospital to see an ENT specialist who was at a loss as to what was wrong or what to do about it. She did say that there was nothing sinster going on so this was reassuring. At the end of the appointment with her I mentioned that I was thinking about amalgam removal, she said she was not a dentist and could offer no advice.

How would they explain that since having the amalgams out I have noticed a 90% reduction in these symptoms? I look forward to other symptoms going the same way as the mercury is gradually removed.

I will have no hesitation in recommending your practice to anyone who would like professional friendly, pain and mercury free dental care.

C.W – Dover

 

Hi Sharon

Just thought I'd drop you a line to say I hope Gareth and yourself both had nice holiday breaks, and let you know how things are going since my last communication with you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gareth for the good work he has done on my teeth; I am very pleased with how they look now and the bonus to me is that my health has improved significantly. The dentist I saw yesterday commented on the nice neat work done on my teeth and has promised that he will do his utmost to ensure that I get equally satisfactory outcome from the treatment he will provide.

I am glad to have had the opportunity to meet with Gareth and yourself and if ever I am down in Farnham, I will pop in and say hello. Thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality during my visits to the dental centre.

Take care of yourselves.

S.B - Nottinghamshire

 

Dear Dr Rhidian

I would like to thank you and your team for taking care of my dental health over the past six years. You have put a smile back on my face, in more ways than one, having been the catalyst for the improvement in my health.

Your colleague diagnosed mercury poisoning and I was fortunate that you were the dentist that carried out the treatment and removed the mercury. At the time I was feeling a little under the weather (my immune system was operating at one third of normal). Great care was taken throughout the treatment to the extent that I did not even feel the injections. With the removal of the last mercury filling I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The pain in my right kidney that I had experienced for the previous 25 years disappeared after two weeks. As a result my health has gone from strength to strength.

During my last treatment you replaced some very old crowns. The transformation has been amazing with an excellent colour match and natural looking crowns that don't make me look like Bugs Bunny!! I am no longer embarrassed to smile. Thanks to you and all of your team involved in my treatment, for the care and concern shown and your excellent 'bedside manner'.

 

I would strongly recommend anyone with dental health or amalgam-related illnesses to consider treatment at the Holistic Dental Centre. My dental health was very poor prior to treatment. The diagnostic and technical skill of Dr Rhidian has meant that these problems have been overcome. The work to remove my amalgam fillings was carried out with great care and all of the work was thorough.

I am pleased to report that since I had this work done my health has improved even after 1 month.

A.G

 

Dear Rhidian

I’m writing to thank you for my course of treatment earlier this year. I was very impressed with the quality of your work, the attention to detail, and the friendly caring atmosphere in your practice. Particular things I liked were:

• The way in which everything was explained in detail and questions answered, before any treatment was undertaken, and as we went along, step by step, so that I understood completely what was happening and why.
• The use of colour photographs (displayed on the overhead screen) and very detailed x-rays to support the explanation of what was wrong and what treatment was needed.
• The advice on nutrition and other areas to support the dental treatment – in particular, removal of mercury amalgam fillings.
• The materials used for fillings, inlays and crowns – they feel just like real teeth and I honestly can’t tell now which are real teeth and which are not!
• Your patient and thorough manner approach.
• The detailed and thorough explanations I got from the Hygienist about how to clean and floss my teeth and gums, and generally maintain healthy teeth

- I had never had this before in 56 years and God knows how many Dentists!

I am very glad to have finally got rid of all the mercury fillings and feel much better for it. Not only that, but for the first time in decades, I feel my mouth is in really good condition, and am confident it will remain so. It has made me realize just how bad the dental treatment I received before really was. Although the treatment was a major expense for me, I feel it was well worth every penny.

I also found your staff – Sharon, Rachel, the Hygienist and anyone else I came across – were unfailingly friendly and helpful, this does, make a really important difference.

Thanks again.
T.F

 

Having recently joined the Holistic Dental Centre I am extremely happy with the treatment that I have received. It has been very thorough and excellent service whilst in and out of the treatment room. Also having had 2 appointments with the hygienist my teeth have never felt so clean!!

J. Lee

 

The Holistic Dental Centre have provided me with a treatment where everything is explained and is thorough and caring. I have referred friends and family, and they have found that things that were missed by other Dentists, were picked up by the dentist here. One friend was told there was nothing that could be done about a specific condition, when on persuasion by me, visited the Holistic Dental Centre and they were then demonstrated to that there was something that could be done! I can only say that I have recieved an exemplary, meticulous and consultative treatment and I would now not be satisfied with anything less.

K. Deyn (Farnham, Surrey)

 

I was always fairly happy with my NHS Dentist, except that every time I went for my six-month check up or hygienist appointment I was greeted and treated by a different dentist! As I grew up being extremely nervous of dentists, it is always with a certain amount of trepidation that I sit in the chair and do as I'm told whilst tensing all the muscles in my body as my mouth is poked and prodded! After a really bad experience at my last NHS dentist, where I felt that I was being talked to like a naughty child, I decided enough was enough and that I needed to take control and make decisions regarding my oral health, based on the knowledge and experience of someone I trusted. Trust comes from respect and that is exactly what I have received from everyone at The Holistic Dental Centre.

After talking first to Sharon, the Centre's Practice Manager, I made an appointment for the initial consultation, which lasted an hour.I was asked questions about my general health and lifestyle. Until she examined my mouth - which was the most thorough dental examination I have ever had - Emma talked to me face to face and I instantly felt a rapport with her, and that at last I had found someone who was listening to me! We decided together on my treatment plan, which I know will take time, patience and many hours of lying in that very comfortable chair. During the year since that initial examination, I have made many visits to both Emma and Jane - simply the best hygienist ever! - and if I have needed pain relief during treatment, it is administered sympathetically and painlessly with an adrenaline-free injection, which I was offered because I always seem to have a reaction to some anaesthetics. Hopefully over a period of time, I intend having all my amalgam fillings replaced after which I am hoping my powers of concentration, memory and general health will improve. Having treatment at the Holistic Centre is so amazingly different from any other Dentist I have ever attended and I am just sorry that I left it so long to find them.

E.S - Farnham