Choosing a Dentist in St Andrews: What to Look For

Choosing a dentist is about more than simply finding the practice that is closest to home. You want to feel confident in the people looking after you, understand your treatment options and know that you will be listened to when you have questions or concerns.

If you are looking for a dentist in St Andrews, there are several things we recommend considering before choosing a dental practice. Experience, communication, comfort, treatment options, fees, appointment times and patient feedback can all help you decide whether a practice is right for you.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we believe that good dentistry starts with understanding our patients and making sure they feel comfortable and informed about their care.

Meet the dental team

One of the first things we recommend looking at when choosing a dentist is the clinical team. It is important to know who may be providing your care and to understand their training and experience.

At St Andrews Dental Care, our team includes dentists with experience across a range of areas of dentistry.

Stuart Farmer, GDC 54291, graduated from Dundee Dental School in 1980. He later gained postgraduate qualifications from the Royal College of Surgeons of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. His experience includes restorative and cosmetic dentistry, as well as implant placement and restoration.

Yohan Wijesuriya, GDC 294905, graduated from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka in 2010 and later qualified through the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2023. He continues to develop his knowledge and skills through further study in restorative dentistry and dental implantology.

Experience is important, but we also believe that the right dentist is someone whose experience and areas of interest are appropriate for your individual needs. If you are considering a particular treatment, it is always reasonable to ask who will assess you and who will carry out your treatment.

Look for clear communication

We believe that dental treatment should be explained clearly.

When we recommend treatment, we want our patients to understand what we have found, why treatment may be appropriate and what options are available. You should feel comfortable asking questions and taking the time you need to understand your choices.

At your new patient assessment with us, we take the opportunity to discuss any dental problems, worries or concerns you may have. We can then talk through relevant treatment options, including their advantages and associated costs.

There is no need to be familiar with dental terminology. If something is unclear, we encourage you to ask us to explain it in a different way.

For us, good communication is an important part of providing good dental care.

If you are nervous about visiting the dentist

We understand that visiting the dentist can be difficult for some people. If you feel nervous or have had an unpleasant dental experience in the past, you are certainly not alone.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we have a dedicated approach for nervous patients. We can take time to talk with you before treatment, explain what will happen and discuss ways of helping you feel more comfortable.

We also provide information about pain-free dentistry and sedation options where appropriate.

If you are anxious about visiting us, please tell our reception team when you make your appointment. Knowing about your concerns in advance allows us to understand what you need and make your visit as comfortable as possible.

We want you to feel that you can ask questions, tell us if you are worried and take things at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Consider the dental care you may need

When choosing a St Andrews dentist, it is worth thinking about both your current needs and the type of care you may require in the future.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we provide general dentistry alongside a range of other treatments and services. These include dental hygiene, emergency dental care, teeth straightening, cosmetic dentistry, dentures and dental implants.

Of course, you may simply be looking for somewhere to have regular examinations and preventive care. In that case, continuity, convenience and feeling comfortable with your dental team may be the most important factors.

If you are considering a more complex treatment, such as dental implants or cosmetic dentistry, you may want to ask about the dentist’s experience, how your treatment will be planned and what the different options involve.

Make sure you understand dental fees

If you are considering a private dentist in St Andrews, it is important to understand the cost of your treatment before you agree to proceed.

We provide an investment guide and information about written quotations. Our consultation process allows us to establish what treatment may be needed, discuss the available options and explain the associated costs.

We believe you should know what your treatment is expected to cost before treatment begins.

If you are comparing different dental practices, don’t be afraid to ask questions about fees. You may want to know what is included, whether there are alternative treatment options and whether additional appointments could involve further costs.

The cheapest option is not necessarily the most appropriate option for your needs. Having a clear understanding of both the treatment plan and the costs allows you to make an informed decision.

Think about location and appointment times

Convenience can make a real difference to your dental care, particularly if you are trying to attend regular appointments.

Our practice is located at 2 Lockhart Place, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9XB.

Our current opening hours include weekday appointments, with two late nights and one Saturday each month. We understand that appointments outside traditional working hours can be useful for people who work during the day or have busy family schedules.

Opening times can change, so we recommend checking our contact page for the latest information when you are ready to book.

Read what our patients say

Patient reviews can be a useful part of your research when you are looking for a dentist.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we are proud of the feedback we receive from our patients. Our website currently displays a Google rating of 4.9 based on 233 reviews.

Rather than looking only at the overall rating, we recommend reading individual reviews and looking for comments about the things that matter to you. Patients may mention communication, how comfortable they felt, how the team handled their appointment or whether their questions were answered.

For example, Sarah Ritchie described feeling very nervous before a filling appointment and said that Yohan Wijesuriya and Jenna Scoular helped put her at ease and explained each step throughout the appointment.

Neil Dobson also describes receiving friendly and professional care and having attended the practice for more than a decade.

Of course, every patient’s experience is individual, but feedback can give you a useful insight into how other people have experienced a practice.

Think about continuity of care

For many people, choosing a dentist is the beginning of a long-term relationship rather than simply booking a single appointment.

If you are planning a course of treatment, it can be helpful to understand who will coordinate your care and who you can contact if you have questions after an appointment.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we have a treatment coordinator role and information about the patient journey. If seeing the same dentist regularly is important to you, let our team know when you make your appointment so that we can explain how appointments are organised.

Your first contact can tell you a lot

Sometimes, your first interaction with a dental practice can give you a good indication of what to expect.

When you contact us, you should feel able to ask questions and explain any concerns you have. Whether you are a new patient, have not visited a dentist for some time or are feeling nervous about treatment, we want you to feel that you can talk to us.

Choosing the best dentist in St Andrews is not necessarily about finding the practice with the longest list of treatments. It is about finding a dental team whose experience, communication, approach to patient care and practical arrangements suit you.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a dentist in St Andrews?

We recommend considering the dental team’s experience, the services available, communication, opening hours, patient feedback and how treatment options and fees are explained. Most importantly, choose a practice where you feel comfortable and confident in the care you will receive.

What should I ask my dentist before agreeing to treatment?

You can ask what has been found, why treatment has been recommended, what alternatives are available, what the treatment involves and what it is expected to cost. If anything is unclear, ask your dentist to explain it.

Is St Andrews Dental Care a private dental practice?

Yes. St Andrews Dental Care is a private dental practice.

Do you support nervous patients?

Yes. We have a dedicated approach for nervous patients and provide support that includes time to talk, clear explanations, pain-free techniques and sedation options where appropriate. If you are nervous about dental treatment, please let us know when you book.

Where is St Andrews Dental Care?

You can find us at:

St Andrews Dental Care
2 Lockhart Place
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9XB

How can I contact St Andrews Dental Care?

You can contact our team on 01334 897 644 or email info@standrewsdentalcare.co.uk. You can also use our website to find out more about the practice and make an appointment.

Looking for a dentist in St Andrews?

Finding the right dentist is a personal decision. We believe it is important to choose a practice where you feel listened to, understand your treatment options and feel confident in the team caring for you.

At St Andrews Dental Care, we aim to provide friendly, professional dental care in a comfortable environment, with clear communication at every stage.

If you are looking for a dentist in St Andrews and would like to find out more about our practice, our team and the treatments we provide, we would be happy to hear from you.