Dental anxiety and fear
Students Name :
Noor Tariq Hawash & Ruha tamayza
Course:
Psychology for dental students
Instructor:
Reema Yousef Taher Oubre
University :
Arab American University " aaup "
Introduction :
Going to the dentist may seem like a routine or a normal thing for some
people, but there is a terrifying side to this reality: many people around
the world, in very high percentages, suffer from fear of going to the
dentist. It is a widespread condition across the globe, and it is rare to
find a family without at least one member affected by it. According to
studies, around 36% of the population experience dental fear, while 12%
suffer from severe fear and panic. This has negative consequences, as it
prevents them from visiting the dentist and receiving proper treatment,
which harms their oral health. This condition, known as “dental
phobia,” is not just a simple fear, but rather a complex psychological
disorder influenced by multiple factors, from personal experiences to
genetic predispositions. In this report, we will explore the deep
psychological aspects of individuals with dental phobia, discuss the role
of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and examine the impact of
environmental and genetic factors in shaping this anxiety in children.
Psychologyical profiles of patients with severe dental phobia
People who are very afraid of going to the dentist often share some common psychological
traits. One of the most common reasons is having had a bad experience in the past, like
feeling extreme pain or going through an embarrassing situation—especially if it happened
more than once. These experiences can leave a strong emotional impact and make the person
link the dentist with fear and stress. Many of them start avoiding dental treatment completely,
which harms their oral health over timeThis is accompanied by physical symptoms such as
increased heart rate, excessive sweating, or even panic attacks
. Some are also highly sensitive to pain, so even simple procedures can feel terrifying. Others
use mental defense strategies, like pretending the problem isn’t serious or ignoring it
completely, which only makes things worse. People who already suffer from general anxiety
or depression are also more likely to develop dental phobia. According to Dr. Daniel W.
McNeil, Professor of Psychology at West Virginia University, anxiety is one of the most
common issues psychologists see in dental patients. The good news is that dental phobia is
treatable, and with the right support and care, people can overcome their fear and take better
care of their teeth The use of relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and, in
some cases, mild sedatives or conscious sedation during dental procedures can help reduce
anxiety build gradual trust between the patient and dentist, and enhance the overall treatment
experience
The effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy )CBT) in
reducing dental anxiety .
Dental anxiety is a common psychological issue that affects many people. The fear of needles
and dental tools goes beyond just physical discomfort; it often reflects deeper emotional
stress. This fear usually stems from past negative experiences and the painful feelings that
come with them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered one of the most
effective treatments for addressing dental anxiety by using techniques that help change and
eliminate negative thoughts and behaviors.
CBT works by targeting the root causes of dental anxiety and helping the patient shift their
negative thoughts and behaviors. The process involves several steps. First, the patient
identifies negative and irrational thoughts, such as “something bad will happen and I won’t
be able to control it” or “I will suffocate.” Second, through cognitive restructuring, the patient
learns to replace these thoughts with more logical and positive ones. Third, gradual exposure
is used, where the patient is slowly introduced to anxiety-provoking situations—such as
sitting in the dental chair—without actually undergoing dental procedures. Additionally,
relaxation techniques are taught to help reduce anxiety.
Studies have shown that most patients who undergo CBT for dental anxiety no longer feel
fear and can complete their treatment comfortably. CBT has proven effective in reducing
dental anxiety, not only by lowering fear but also by changing the patient’s attitude and
increasing comfort during treatment.
Genetic and environmental influences on dental fear in children
Fear of the dentist is one of the most common problems in children. Many children avoid
visiting the dentist because of anxiety and strong fear, which can lead to worsening both their
general and oral health. Whether this fear comes from past negative experiences or deeper
underlying reasons, studies show that it results from a combination of genetic and
environmental factors.
Genetic Factors:
Studies show that both children and their parents experience dental anxiety. This anxiety is
often high in children, even if they haven’t had negative experiences at the dentist. Moreover,
research has found certain genetic factors linked to dental anxiety, especially genes related to
fear processing, memory, and the nervous system. These findings highlight the importance of
considering genetic factors when planning treatment for dental anxiety. For instance, children
with a genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders may react more intensely to dental
experiences.
Environmental Factors:
Environmental factors play a crucial role in contributing to dental anxiety. These include the
family environment, social interactions, and education. One study found that dental anxiety
can be passed from parents to children. For example, if a mother is afraid of going to the
dentist and says things like “I hate going to the dentist” or “It makes me nervous,” the child
notices these comments and starts to form negative thoughts about dental treatment. Another
factor is social anxiety. In some cartoons and movies, going to the dentist is shown as a scary
experience. The portrayal of dental visits as traumatic experiences in media can contribute to
heightened fear. Understanding the environmental factors related to dental anxiety in children
is essential for improving dental care. By creating a supportive, psychologically prepared
environment, such as using positive language about dental visits, and raising parental
awareness about how their own fears can affect their child’s attitude, the impact of these
factors can be reduced. Furthermore, pediatric dentists are trained to use techniques like
distraction, positive reinforcement, and gentle communication to help ease children’s fears
during appointments.
Conclusion
Through this report, I learned that dental anxiety is not just a small or temporary issue, but a
serious psychological problem that can affect people’s lives and health. Many people avoid
going to the dentist because of fear, and this can lead to worse dental problems over time.
I also found out that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a helpful way to deal with this
fear. It helps people change the way they think and slowly face what they are afraid of. I
learned that fear can come from genetics or past experiences, especially in children who are
influenced by their parents or things they see and hear.
What I understood from this topic is that we need to raise more awareness about dental
anxiety and encourage people who are afraid of the dentist to get help. Whether it's through
therapy or by visiting kind and understanding dentists, we can help them feel better and take
care of their health.
Before writing this report, I didn’t know much about this topic, but now I feel I understand it
better and it changed how I think about going to the dentist.
Sources and references :
1. Whiteside et al. (2016):
Whiteside, S. P. H., Deacon, B. J., Benito, K., & Stewart, E. (2016). Factors associated with
practitioners’ use of exposure therapy for childhood anxiety disorders. Journal of Anxiety
Disorders, 40, 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.04.001
2. Genome-wide scan of dental fear (example placeholder citation):
Letra, A., et al. (2014). A genome-wide scan for genes associated with dental fear and
anxiety. Journal of Dental Research, 93(7), 555–560.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24814543
(Confirm authors and year if needed. This is based on an actual study indexed in PubMed.)
3. Dental fear and anxiety – environmental factors (Folia Medica):
Kaidonis, J. A., et al. (Year). Dental fear and anxiety: A review of environmental factors.
Folia Medica, Volume(Issue), Pages.
(Replace placeholders with the actual year, volume, issue, and page numbers when available.)
4. Adult Dental Health Survey (2009):
Adult Dental Health Survey 2009. (2009). Adult Dental Health Survey 2009.
https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/media/dentalphobia.pdf
5. American Psychological Association (2016):
American Psychological Association. (2016, March). Dental fears and phobias: What you
need to know. Monitor on Psychology, 47(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/03/dental-
fears
