Therapy can help dental related phobias

A wave of anxiety swept over him when his alarm went off. As drowsiness subsided, his mind searched for an explanation for this vague since of dread. Moments later he realized that later that day he had a dental appointment. As the morning proceeded, his anxiety mounted and gagging sensations began as he approached the dentist’s office. His heart began to race, his palms became sweaty and he felt faint. The color had drained from his face and his hands shook as he signed the patient sign in sheet. Upon entering the operatory and being seated in the dental chair his fear became so intense that he considered bolting for the door and leaving. White knuckles on the chair handles accompanied by tightly clinched jaws alerted the dentist to the psychological condition of this less than enthusiastic patient.

Surveys have shown that up to 20% of the population admits to fear of dental activities. Many individuals avoid going to the dentist at the expense of dental deterioration, gum disease, and other dental problems. Reasons given may include:


Fear of needles and pain, and claustrophobia while in the dental chair.
Bad experiences with dental treatment earlier in life.
Negative media images of dental treatment.
Fear of loss of control during dental procedures.


Neglecting dental treatment can threaten not only a patient’s oral health but also their self-esteem resulting from bad appearance, and bad breath. More recently, reports linking gum and heart disease have made adequate dental care even more important.

Current dental training is including more psychological components along with other more traditional elements of dentistry. Helping patients reduce fear by using relaxation techniques, hypnosis and other psychological techniques are assisting many patients with “dentaphobia”.

Other areas of psychological intervention in dentistry include patients suffering from temporomandibular disorder. This painful sensation in a patients jaw hinge is often treated by using appliances to prevent grinding the teeth. However, some patients can be treated successfully by using biofeedback or other behavioral techniques to address the stress that often underlies the clinching and grinding problem which frequently results in headaches and severe joint pain.

Psychologists are sometimes asked to address self-esteem issues in patients seeking orthodontia treatment. These patients may become so obsessed with the alignment of their teeth that they insist on dental braces even when deemed unnecessary by the orthodontist.

Psychologists may also be consulted when a dentist notices enamel loss that is a result of stomach acid erosion of teeth due to the purging in bulimia, a serious eating disorder.

With the large number of Americans approaching the age where more dental problems can occur, psychologists can assist in adjustment to dental intervention in later life.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2000