Overcoming Dental Anxiety with Dr Janice Lau at Bright-on Bay Dental.
- Admin@ Beautiful Brighton
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
Toothaches have a way of turning your whole world upside down. A few months back,I found myself in that exact situation—a throbbing pain that just wouldn’t let up. Having moved to Brighton-Le-Sands two years ago, I didn’t yet have a local dentist. So, like most people would, I jumped on Google and started searching for the best-rated practices in the area.
I called around—four places in total. One of them was Bright-on Bay Dental. At the time, they didn’t have an appointment that day, so I kept searching and managed to book with another local dentist who was also highly rated. Honestly, I wish I hadn’t.
That appointment was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I’ve always been nervous about dental visits (okay, terrified might be a better word), and hearing that my painful tooth—one that had already had a root canal before I moved—would need to be surgically extracted by a surgeon sent me into a panic, they freaked me out and my tooth freaked them out. I walked out more shaken than reassured, still in pain, and no closer to feeling better or a solution.
The next day, still clutching my face, I got a call from Bright-on Bay Dental. A spot had opened up, and they could see me that afternoon.
Walking into the clinic, I was greeted by Teresa and Jodie at the front desk. They were warm, friendly, and genuinely kind— the way they smiled & how patient they were while I fumbled through my paperwork, instantly made me feel calmer. As I sat in the waiting room, surrounded by children’s colorful drawings pinned to the walls, I thought, “Okay… maybe this won’t be so bad.”
Then out came Dr. Janice Lau. She had this bright smile and such a positive, easygoing manner that I felt myself relax almost immediately. I spilled out my whole story—the pain, the fear, the disaster of the day before with tears in my eyes . She listened without judgment, just calmly and compassionately. When she examined my mouth , looked at the X-ray and said, "I can take this out for you, no problem.”
I nearly burst into tears again, but this time out of relief. And here’s the wild part: the extraction of 2 teeth took her all of three seconds. No pain. No drama. Barely any bleeding. I couldn’t believe it. I had spent 24 hours in agony, convinced I’d need some terrifying surgery, and Janice handled it like it was nothing.
That moment completely changed how I feel about going to the dentist. Since then, I’ve been back regularly to see Janice and the team at Bright-on Bay Dental. I had neglected dental care for years because of fear, so there’s plenty of work to be done—but now I actually walk in smiling and even laughing, which is something I never thought I’d say about dental visits.
Janice is brilliant at what she does. It’s her energy, her positivity, and the welcoming atmosphere her whole team creates. Walking into Bright-on Bay Dental doesn’t feel like trudging into a cold, clinical office. It feels like stepping into a safe space, almost like being with family. That’s rare, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.
If you’ve ever been embarrassed about your teeth or terrified of the chair, I can’t recommend Janice and her team enough. There’s no judgment, no lectures—just genuine care and solutions that work.
What They Offer
Bright-on Bay Dental isn’t just about emergency extractions (though I’m forever grateful for mine!). They provide a full range of dental care, including:
Teeth whitening
Fillings
Dental implants and partials
Children’s dentistry
Extractions (gentle ones, I can vouch!)
Preventive care tailored to each patient’s needs
Whether it’s a quick fix or a longer-term plan for healthier teeth, everything is explained clearly and done at a pace you’re comfortable with.
About Dr. Janice Lau
A bit of background on the woman behind it all: Dr Janice Lau graduated from the University of Sydney in 2003 with First Class Honours. She worked at Westmead Hospital Private and even taught dental students at Sydney Uni before opening her own practice in 2008. Caring for the locals runs in the family—her father, Dr. William Lau, is a local doctor, and their family has lived and worked in Brighton-Le-Sands for over 40 years.
That deep connection to the community shines through in the way the practice runs. It’s about looking after people.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this and dreading your next dentist appointment (or putting it off altogether), take it from me: there’s hope. I went from being petrified of dentists to actually enjoying my visits, all thanks to Janice and the team at Bright-on Bay Dental.
So, if you’re in Brighton-Le-Sands or nearby and find yourself in pain, nervous, or just ready to finally book that long-overdue check-up, give them a call. It might just change your whole outlook—like it did mine.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one positive experience, one genuinely caring person, to turn fear into trust. And for me, that person was Dr. Janice Lau.
Bright On Dental 247 Bay Street Brighton Le Sands
Phone 02 9538 7028
Star rating 5.0
Comments