Dental anxiety is common and can affect people of any age. Children who have had bad dental experiences in most cases can overcome their fear if the situation is managed well and they are well cared for and supported during further dental visits. Adults who are anxious about dental care tend to remain anxious throughout life. Many anxious dental patients can find a dentist who is sympathetic to their situation, so they are able to cope with going to the dentist.

Dental anxiety can be caused by:

• a traumatic dental experience or other healthcare experience

• previous trauma to the head and neck

• other traumatic experiences, including abuse

• generalised anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

• the view that the mouth is a personal area and accessing the mouth is an invasion of personal space

• fear of loss of control

• trust issues

• anxiety associated with other conditions such as claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) or OCD/ obsessive compulsive disorder here there is an obsession around cleanliness.

So you have dental anxiety- How can you manage it?

There are many ways to help people manage dental anxiety or phobia. It is important to let the dentist know if you experience any level of dental anxiety. Open discussion around the individual triggers of anxiety can help the dentist work with you to tailor a management plan for you. 

Some psychological coping techniques include:

• distraction (such as listening to music or the use of devices)

• meditation or deep breathing

• progressive muscle relaxation

• agreeing with your dentist on a signal to stop during the treatment for a break (such as raising your left pointer finger or hand)

• using a weighted blanket (bring your own

Referral to a psychologist can be helpful too. Severe dental anxiety or phobia may require medical management with relative analgesia (happy gas), anxiety relieving medication, conscious sedation (twilight sedation) or general anaesthesia.