Patients visiting an Oxford dentist are getting their teeth into the latest blockbusters on DVD to take their minds off the dreaded drill.

Amit Mohindra, 29, began offering his patients a chance to wear DVD goggles when he joined the Summertown practice nine months ago.

The device, which incorporates a small screen and earphones on a compact headband, has become increasingly popular - and patients have started to bring in their own films.

Mr Mohindra, who works at Diamond House dental practice in Banbury Road, said: "One of the key things I focused on when I was studying for my dentistry degree was finding ways of combating dental anxiety.

"It's a common problem among patients - surveys show that 60 per cent of people worry about going to the dentist and some people will put up with extreme pain before they eventually book an appointment.

"Getting patients to watch a DVD is ideal for the more lengthy procedures and it really helps to take their minds off the treatment.

"This is not a substitute for an anaesthetic - patients will still need an injection for pain control if they are having a filling - but it helps a great deal.

"Patients can't see the drill, or hear what is happening, and watching the films allows them to relax - films like Finding Nemo or the underwater documentary Deep Blue Sea are particularly popular.

"I think patients find watching all the sea creatures go by particularly relaxing, but now they know about this, they are bringing in their own films and that is fine with us.

"Some men bring in goals compilations and one girl last week brought in a DVD of the film Hairspray starring John Travolta.

"This isn't for everyone - some patients prefer to have some music in the background and one lady I know is so relaxed anyway she just goes to sleep."

Dental nurse Vicki Quarterman, 20, added: "Some patients prefer not to know what is going on when they are being treated, so watching a DVD is ideal for that because they can concentrate on something else, particularly during a lengthy procedure."

In December, Mr Mohindra swapped the comfort of his Oxford practice for a basic clinic in India.

He took a seven-day holiday to help poverty-stricken villagers in Rajasthan in the north west of the country.

His self-funded £1,500 trip was organised by Teeth for Life, a charity which relies on volunteers to offer dental care to some of the world's most needy people.

DVDs patients watch...

  • Deep Blue Sea (sealife documentary)
  • Finding Nemo
  • Casino Royale
  • Friends
  • Football

... and ones they shouldn't

  • Jaws
  • Marathon Man
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • Driller Killer
  • Reuben, Reuben