Dental anxiety is a prevalent problem among many people which every dental practitioner will face, it may cause difficulties in the treatment for the practitioner, as well as severe consequences for the patient.
The anxiety response is almost identical to the fear response, both having a physiologic, a cognitive and a behavioral component. The main difference is the nature of the stimulus which will trigger the reaction, and how powerful the reaction is to the given threat. An anxious person might get a strong fear reaction already when he or she is notified of the dental appointment; just thinking about visiting a dental clinic may feel overwhelming . (1)
1
Review of the literature
Dental anxiety, affecting approximately 20% of the adult population . About 40% of the …show more content…
Most studies estimate the prevalence of dental anxiety to be between 4 – 20%. (3, 4) Some studies demonstrate that as much as 40 percent population are anxious of dental treatment. (2)
A study conduct on the incidence of dental anxiety stated that dental anxiety was developed on 16,5% of the participants between the age of 18 – 26.this study done by following the participant from the birth up to the age of 26 years. (5) previous negative dental experiences seem to be the main cause for fear from the dentist and dental care. (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Dental Anxiety may developed in one’s own past traumatic experiences, Or by narrative that offered by others about their bad experience. (8,9) age, sex, economic, psychological and social factors, oral health and frequency of dental visits are other factors that correlate with dental anxiety. (3, 4, 5)
Young adults are more fearful of dental treatment than younger children, teenagers and middle-aged people. (4)
Dental anxiety is more common among women than men(4, 10).
Several studies show the association between a poor oral health and a low socio-economic status
The anxiety response is almost identical to the fear response, both having a physiologic, a cognitive and a behavioral component. The main difference is the nature of the stimulus which will trigger the reaction, and how powerful the reaction is to the given threat. An anxious person might get a strong fear reaction already when he or she is notified of the dental appointment; just thinking about visiting a dental clinic may feel overwhelming . (1)
1
Review of the literature
Dental anxiety, affecting approximately 20% of the adult population . About 40% of the …show more content…
Most studies estimate the prevalence of dental anxiety to be between 4 – 20%. (3, 4) Some studies demonstrate that as much as 40 percent population are anxious of dental treatment. (2)
A study conduct on the incidence of dental anxiety stated that dental anxiety was developed on 16,5% of the participants between the age of 18 – 26.this study done by following the participant from the birth up to the age of 26 years. (5) previous negative dental experiences seem to be the main cause for fear from the dentist and dental care. (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Dental Anxiety may developed in one’s own past traumatic experiences, Or by narrative that offered by others about their bad experience. (8,9) age, sex, economic, psychological and social factors, oral health and frequency of dental visits are other factors that correlate with dental anxiety. (3, 4, 5)
Young adults are more fearful of dental treatment than younger children, teenagers and middle-aged people. (4)
Dental anxiety is more common among women than men(4, 10).
Several studies show the association between a poor oral health and a low socio-economic status