Dental fear

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Dental fear is a common emotional response to one or more specific threatening stimuli in the dental situation. However, dental fear is often used to refer to a severe form of this fear (also called dental phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, and dental anxiety).

Causes[edit | edit source]

Dental fear can be caused by various factors such as previous traumatic dental experiences, vicarious learning, a history of abuse, and genetic factors. The fear can also be triggered by the perceived rudeness or insensitivity of dental staff.

Effects[edit | edit source]

The effects of dental fear can lead to a delay in seeking necessary dental care, lower frequency of dental visits, and poor oral health. It can also lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment due to poor dental aesthetics, and can interfere with social and professional success.

Management[edit | edit source]

Management of dental fear often involves a combination of behavioral and pharmacological techniques. Behavioral techniques include systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, distraction, and hypnosis. Pharmacological techniques include the use of sedatives, anxiolytics, and general anesthesia.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Dental fear Resources

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Contributors: Bonnu, Prab R. Tumpati, MD