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Dentophobia

Dental phobia is a fear, or phobia, traditionally defined as an irrational and exaggerated fear of dentists and dental procedures. Some controversy exists with regards to whether the fear is "irrational", as dental phobia is most commonly caused by previous bad experiences. Furthermore, there appear to be several subtypes of dental phobia, which to date have not been adequately described and categorized, for example "fear of dentists" versus "fear of specific dental procedures", needle phobia, and dental phobia resulting from previous, perhaps unrelated, abuse. Not all of these fears can be deemed irrational. more...

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Dental phobia may better be defined as an extreme and persistent fear which results in the individual's avoidance of attending a dentist at all costs, unless possibly when a physical problem becomes overwhelming. Even thinking or hearing about going to the dentist will cause marked psychological distress, and the phobia may interfere with social functioning.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), dental phobia (which may also be referred to as odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, or dental anxiety) is one of the specific phobias. The diagnostic criteria of specific phobia include

  • a marked and persistent fear of the specific object or situation that is excessive or unreasonable,
  • an immediate anxiety response upon exposure to the feared stimulus, which may take the form of a panic attack,
  • recognition that the fear is excessive or unreasonable,
  • avoidance of the anxiety-producing situation,
  • the phobia interferes with normal functioning or causes marked distress.

Dental phobia is most commonly caused by traumatic dental experiences, although there can be other causes as well. Dental phobia may involve fear of dentists, dental procedures, a specific fear of needles, teeth, or objects and situations which remind the sufferer of the phobic situation. The dentist's drill is often a major factor in these fears.

Prevalence

No reliable figures regarding the prevalence of dental phobia are available, but estimates from various studies suggest that between 5 and 15% of the population in Western countries avoid dental care due to fear.

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pounds 71m PLAN TO FIGHT PHOBIAS; So stop worrying about the sharks,
From Sunday Mirror, 4/8/01 by CHRIS McLAUGHLIN

TONY Blair wants to calm the nation's worst nightmares.

The Prime Minister has given the go-ahead for pounds 71million to be spent investigating the cause of phobias.

Phobias afflict more than 16 million Britons, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists says one in ten will suffer a debilitating fear at some point in their lives.

Famous phobics include Hollywood hearthrob Brad Pitt, who suffers from ichthyophobia, a severe terror of sharks - even on dry land.

Arsenal football hero Dennis Bergkamp has aviatophobia, a terror of flying. And actor Robert de Niro has had therapy for dentophobia, the fear of dentists.

Millions of working days are lost every year because of phobias and sufferers can undergo acute distress which places a heavy burden on their families. Women are afflicted more than men - but their phobias can often disappear during pregnancy.

The money, from the Trade Department, will fund 14 projects at 12 universities nationwide and pay for scanners, brain simulators, gene research and machines for testing the effects of drugs.

The investigation will also look at conditions such as schizophrenia and autism and is expected to produce spin-off benefits in the fight against diseases such as tuberculosis, heart disease and cancer.

Trade Minister Lord Sainsbury said: "This research will help uncover some of the mysteries of the human mind."

Copyright 2001 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

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