YES! A distinction has been made between dental anxiety, dental fear, and dental phobia.
DENTAL ANXIETY is a reaction to an UNKNOWN danger. Anxiety is extremely common, and most people experience some degree of dental anxiety especially if they’re about to have something done which they’ve never experienced before. Basically, it’s a fear of the unknown.
DENTAL FEAR is a reaction to a known danger (”I know what the dentist is going to do, been there, done that – I’m scared!!”), which involves a fight-or-flight response when confronted with the threatening stimulus.
DENTAL PHOBIA is basically the same as fear, only much stronger (”I know what happens when I go to the dentist – there’s no way I’m going back if I can help it. I’m so terrified I feel sick”). Also, the fight-or-flight response occurs when just thinking about or being reminded of the situation.
Someone with a dental phobia will avoid dental care at all costs until either a physical problem or the psychological burden of the phobia becomes overwhelming.
How is dental phobia measured?
There are various instruments for researchers which attempt to measure the degree of the fear, such as Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and a shorter version, the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). However, if you suffer from dental phobia, you won’t find it too hard to beat the high score, never mind being scared enough to qualify! And honestly, the score doesn’t matter except to the researchers – any anxiety, fear, or phobia is real and needs to be treated uniquely in a caring and compassionate way.
Problems with defining dental phobia
ASK yourself the following question: “Am I terrified of dentists and avoid them at all costs?” If the answer is yes, this is a good indicator of dental phobia! Even seemingly innocuous reminders of anything dental-related may produce a panic-attack if you suffer from dental phobia, such as people talking about dentists or teeth, toothpaste commercials, or “dental words”. One problem with defining dental phobia is that “dental anxiety” (a reaction to an unknown danger) may feel just as frightening as a “phobia” to a person, and they may well be defined (or define themselves) as phobic. From what little research there is available, this may be more common in people who are generally anxious. Also, some people who’ve never had a bad experience with a dentist or a dental procedure can develop dental fear or phobia – this is usually the result of vicarious learning (that is, scare-stories or media portrayal).
“Dental phobia” is simply useful short-hand for “terror at the thought of dentists and/or dentistry and/or anything dental-related”. Some people feel that their fear is justified and rational, while others feel they’re being silly for getting so upset over something which “everyone else” seems to have no problem with. “Dental Phobia” is really an umbrella term which covers a wide range of different fears.
No matter if you suffer from anxiety or fear or phobia – Dr. Reilly is caring, compassionate, and specially trained to help you. Please call our office today 732.356.9120 to learn more about how the Advanced Dentistry team can help you start overcoming your phobias and fears today.
