Calm dental visits with TV & noise-cancelling headphones
Why this matters more than it sounds
The mechanical sound of a dental handpiece and suction is the single thing most anxious patients flag as the worst part of an appointment. Often it's not pain that triggers anxiety — it's anticipation, and that anticipation is fed by the sound. Block the sound, give the brain something else to focus on, and the appointment becomes dramatically easier.
That's why every chair at Smile Star Dental has a ceiling-mounted TV and premium noise-cancelling headphones as standard.
What's available to watch
We can stream:
- Netflix
- Disney+
- ABC iView and SBS On Demand
- YouTube
- Sport (when it's on)
- News and live TV
Got a specific show you want to start? Tell reception when you arrive. For longer appointments, putting on a film you've been meaning to watch is a great way to use the time.
Especially for kids
For children, a familiar show — Bluey, Pixar films, Minecraft videos, whatever they love — combined with headphones and a calm clinician changes the dental experience completely. Many kids who used to dread the dentist look forward to picking the show.
Especially for anxious adults
If you've been putting off dental work because of anxiety, the combination of:
- A slow, communicative clinician
- TV and noise-cancelling headphones
- Optional Penthrox inhaled pain relief for procedures
- Excellent local anaesthetic technique
…handles the vast majority of dental anxiety without needing IV sedation. Tell us up-front that you're nervous and we'll layer the right combination together.
Communication still comes first
Headphones don't replace good clinical communication — we still ask permission, signal each step, and check in throughout. We'll catch your eye, use clear hand signals, and lift a headphone whenever we need to chat. Comfort and communication aren't a trade-off; they're a partnership.
What to expect
Pick your show
When you arrive we ask if you'd like the TV on. Pick what works — Netflix, ABC iView, sport, news, kids' content for the little ones.
Headphones on
Premium over-ear noise-cancelling headphones block out the clinical sounds patients usually find most stressful — handpieces, suction, the high-pitched whirr.
Comfort throughout
You hold the volume control. We catch your eye and use clear hand signals when we need your attention.
What to consider
- Headphones don't replace good clinical communication — we still ask permission, signal each step and check in throughout.
- Noise cancellation helps most patients, but a small number prefer no headphones at all. Either is welcome.
- Patient safety always takes priority — we'll lower volume or pause the show whenever there's a clinical reason.
All dental procedures carry risks. Suitability, treatment options, duration, costs and potential complications should be discussed with a registered dental practitioner. Individual results vary. Information on this page is general and not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Frequently asked questions
- Not at all. Some patients love the noise-cancelling effect; others find headphones intrusive. We offer them by default and you can decline at any moment. The TV alone — without sound — works well for many people.
Related services
Penthrox (green whistle) pain relief
A patient-controlled, fast-acting inhaled analgesic used during dental procedures — particularly helpful for anxious patients and longer appointments where strong, short-lived comfort is the goal without IV sedation.
Read moreChildren's dentistry
Gentle, low-pressure dental care for babies, kids and teenagers — focused on prevention, healthy habits, and making the dentist somewhere your child actually likes coming back to.
Read moreDigital intraoral scanning
A small, hand-held 3D scanner replaces messy impression trays — capturing your teeth and bite in minutes for clear aligners, crowns, implants, mouthguards and treatment planning.
Read more
Ready to discuss in-chair tv & noise-cancelling headphones?
Book a consultation with our Warners Bay team. We'll talk through your goals, the options available and any risks before you decide.