The Washington Post (3/21, Szokan) reports that many adults in the United States suffer from dental anxiety, with some avoiding dental care as a result. The article states that avoiding dental care may result in dental caries, halitosis, and periodontal disease, while “decayed or missing teeth have a negative effect on self-esteem and employability.” According to the article, in the March issue of Monitor on Psychology, the American Psychological Association’s magazine, Rebecca A. Clay discusses techniques to help patients overcome dental anxiety, including “cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, medication, acupuncture, hypnosis, musical distraction and gradual exposure to certain elements of a procedure, such as injections.” Dr. Richard Heimberg, a psychology professor at Temple University, noted in Clay’s article that few dental practices have psychologists on staff, so his anxiety clinic developed a video-based “dental anxiety intervention” to help prepare patients for procedures. In a “trial of 151 patients with high dental anxiety or phobias, Heimberg’s team found that the intervention significantly reduced fears,” the article reports.
MouthHealthy.org provides additional tips for addressing dental anxiety.
Patient education library includes information on various topics ranging from dental care to oral health problems.