Dentophobia is also known as the fear of the dentist. People with a dentist phobia feel extremely anxious and worried when they think about going to the dentist or during a dental visit. Certain traumas experienced in the past or during childhood, a family history, or environmental factors can cause the fear of the dentist. The treatment for commonly seen dentist fear is planned individually. Generally, exposure therapy, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques are used to improve and treat this disorder.
Most phobias are actually seen as a type of anxiety disorder. They cause excessive fear of an event or situation that would not normally cause any harm. Individuals with a fear of the dentist may experience serious dental problems if they delay their dental treatments. Therefore, it is a phobia that needs to be treated.
What Causes Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist)?
Many different factors can be among the causes of dentophobia. While the fear of needles is among the common causes of this condition, he may feel excessively anxious at the thought of receiving an injection in his gums and may resort to avoiding and postponing this situation. In addition to these, factors that may cause a fear of the dentist can be listed as follows:
Family history: Having a family member with a phobic disorder or an anxiety disorder increases the risk of having the phobia. Genetic factors may be among the causes of this condition.
Traumas: Certain traumatic events experienced during childhood, such as violence, abuse, or bullying, can cause the fear of the dentist to emerge.
Environmental Factors: The fear of the dentist starts in childhood for most individuals. He may acquire this type of phobia due to frightening stories he hears from his family, surroundings, or close acquaintances. Additionally, some parents may instill going to the dentist as a fear to their children as a method of punishment.
In addition, feeling excessive pain or agony during the treatment of a dental condition that occurred in the past or during childhood can lead to this type of phobia. The basis of fears usually begins in childhood.
What Are the Symptoms of Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist)?
The levels of fear experienced by individuals with a fear of the dentist can vary from mild to extreme. The fears felt can cause certain physical and emotional symptoms on him. Symptoms of dentophobia can be listed as follows:
- Crying after the thought of going to the dentist
- Anxiety
- Apprehension
- Insomnia and sleep problems
- Shaking
- Dizziness and loss of consciousness
- Excessive sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Stomach discomforts such as indigestion
Risk Factors for Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist)
There are certain risk factors that can trigger a fear of the dentist. When he faces certain situations, he may feel excessively anxious and apprehensive. Being present at a dental examination and experiencing bad experiences can lead to the emergence of fears. Factors such as seeing the instruments used in dental examination and treatment, and seeing the dentist for someone who has a fear of the dentist's chair and the doctor can act as triggers.
Additionally, this fear can also be seen in individuals who have one of various types of phobias, and the risk of it being seen is higher in individuals with specific conditions such as anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder.
Complications of Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist)
Individuals who intensely experience the fear of the dentist avoid going to the dentist even when they have dental problems, and this situation causes the deterioration of oral and dental health. The complications that this situation may cause are:
- Decayed teeth
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease)
- Tooth loss
- Pneumonia and respiratory tract infections
How is Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist) Diagnosed?
Since feelings of fear and anxiety surrounding dentists and dental treatments are common, many people may not realize that the symptoms he experiences are abnormal. While he may experience intense feelings such as anxiety and apprehension during a dental visit, this condition can be diagnosed by a dentist or different specialists.
The dentist may refer him to a psychologist or mental health specialist. The healthcare specialist examines his complaints, experiences, and symptoms to assess what kind of impact the phobia has on his daily life.
Certain questions are asked by the healthcare specialist and there are certain points he pays attention to. These are: Triggers, the type of symptoms encountered, the frequency and severity of symptoms, and how much it affects his daily life.
The conditions required for the diagnosis of dentophobia are as follows:
- The fears experienced are excessive, abnormal, and recurrent. They may occur upon the thought of going to the dentist, visiting, or watching a video related to this subject
- Exposure to dentists or dental treatments leads to an immediate anxiety response in most cases
- Avoiding going to the dentist, experiencing extreme fear, apprehension, and distress when dental treatment is mandatory
- The fears experienced lasting for at least 6 months
Treatment of Dentophobia (Fear of the Dentist)
There are several different treatment options for the treatment of dentophobia. However, not everyone with a phobia of the dentist needs treatment. If the symptoms experienced are mild and do not significantly affect daily life and health, treatment may not be necessary.
In addition, treatment may be recommended for individuals who do not receive dental treatment due to a fear of the dentist, and for those who experience symptoms repeatedly and severely. In this case, a personalized treatment plan is created based on the triggers and symptoms.
The methods most commonly used in the treatment of dental phobia can be listed as follows:
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy, also known as systematic desensitization, is one of the most commonly used treatment methods for the fear of the dentist. This type of therapy allows exposure to triggers in a safe and controlled environment.
Exposure is gradual, starting with the situation that results in the least phobic response, such as looking at a picture of dental treatment or talking about visiting a dentist.
Exposure therapy also ensures that negative thoughts and emotions experienced when encountering dentists are addressed, and physiological and psychological responses are changed. He is also taught relaxation and coping techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be applied as a standalone treatment or alongside exposure therapy. It is a type of talk therapy, and sessions can be individual or part of a group. Sessions are designed to help identify or change negative perceptions and thoughts about dentists. In connection with these, it contributes to addressing the associated emotions and behaviors.