Prevalence of dental anxiety

Over recent decades, the everyday clinical practice of dentistry has benefited from major advances in techniques, technologies and materials, as well as in infection control procedures. At the same time, public awareness of oral health has improved. Despite these gains, anxiety related to the dental environment and to specific dental treatments is a problem suffered by many patients worldwide, and it remains a significant challenge in providing dental care. Whereas anxiety is an emotional state that helps normal individuals defend themselves against a variety of threats, anxiety disorders are a dysregulation of these normal defensive mechanisms, with either excessive or deficient responses. The purpose of this paper is to highlight clinical factors which can be addressed to reduce anxiety levels in dental patients.