A “phobia” is traditionally defined as “an irrational severe fear that leads to avoidance of the feared situation, object or activity” (even though the Greek word “phobia” simply means fear…). Exposure to the feared stimulus provokes an immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a panic attack. The phobia causes a lot of distress, and impacts on other aspects of the individual’s life, not just their oral health. Dental phobics will spend an awful lot of time thinking about their teeth, dentists, and dental situations, or spend a lot of time trying NOT to think of teeth, dentists, and dental situations. In today’s society, which is saturated with multiple reminders such as toothpaste commercials, cosmetic dental options, and whitening commercials, it is nearly impossible for dental phobics to not be in a constant state of angst.
Phobics especially, understand the need to for care since many times their phobia has kept them away from the dental office for extended periods of time. These long absences from care usually only compound the problem – the delay of treatment many times increases the severity of problem. Untreated dental disease is progressive disease.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) describes dental phobia as a “marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable”. It also assumes that the person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable. Conclusion? The DSM-IV criteria were obviously not decided upon by a representative group of dental phobics (read on to see why) and although they recognize dental phobia as a mental disorder many of those who suffer would not agree and neither would the dentist who specialize in treating phobics. Dental phobia is common!
Dental phobia does appear to be more common in people who suffer from other psychiatric disorder, notably Generalized Anxiety Disorder, agoraphobia, depression, and emetophobia. Research suggests that about 20% of dental phobics have a concurrent disorder. The main problem in defining “dental phobia” is that there isn’t just ONE type of dental phobia, but many types – some rational, and some which seem more “irrational”. Although, most sufferers and treating dentists would argue that no fear is “irrational”. Fear is fear regardless of it is routed in fact or perceptions.
Bracha and others (2006, HI Dental Journal) have suggested that the term dental phobia is typically a misnomer, for much the same reasons outlined here. Whether fear is “unreasonable”, “excessive”, or “irrational” is not for some textbook to define – fear is real and if you end up in the hands of a dentists not trained to handle those fears the phobia can increase and reactions can worsen.
To learn more about phobia and how it can be treated properly – call Advanced Dentistry 732.356.9120 and schedule your complimentary office tour. Come in and check us out find out how we specialize in treating dental phobics and what we can do to make your next visit to the dentist enjoyable!
