Why the intake is part of the diagnosis
In most dental practices, the intake form asks about dental history, current medications, allergies and a brief medical-status check. The intake at Dental Wellness London is structured differently — broader, more conversational, and substantially longer. We ask about sleep, stress, digestion, diet, lifestyle, life stage. The answers shape the treatment plan in ways that dental-history-only questions cannot. This is the approach behind our holistic dentistry.
What we ask, by category
Dental history. When did you last see a dentist? Any teeth lost, root-canal-treated, crowned, bridged or implanted? Any current symptoms?
Sleep. How many hours do you sleep? Do you wake rested? Does anyone say you snore or grind your teeth? Sleep questions matter because bruxism patterns correlate strongly with sleep quality, snoring connects to the jaw-airway picture, and gum healing happens during deep sleep.
Stress. How would you rate your stress level? Chronic stress drives bruxism, recurring gum inflammation, and avoidant dental behaviour. We explain why in why your dentist should know about your stress.
Digestion and gut. Any bloating, irregular bowel habit, food intolerances? The mouth-gut microbiome connection means gum inflammation often reflects gut inflammation. See the oral microbiome and gut health.
Diet. A simple picture of what you typically eat. Diet patterns translate into gum-tissue quality within weeks.
Life stage and lifestyle. Major changes, career pressure, hormonal shifts. We're not fixing this through dentistry — we're planning dental care that fits where you actually are.
What we do not press on
You are under no obligation to answer any of these. If you'd rather not discuss stress or lifestyle, we move on — the dental care continues as normal. We do not push integrative referrals; if the dental answer is straightforward, we say so.
What the first visit looks like
The first contact is a free 20-minute discovery conversation. The first paid appointment is a 30-minute examination at £65, including an iTero scan and photographs. You leave with a written treatment plan and time to consider — most patients book back within one to two weeks; some don't, and that's fine.
Booking the first conversation
Call reception on 020 8127 4567. Dental Wellness London, 222 Essex Road, Islington. Founded 2009. Same dentist every visit.
Written by Dr Vishal Patel — Principal Dentist & Clinical Director, BDS, MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry (Manchester), GDC 103127. Last reviewed: 11 May 2026.
