Understanding dental anxiety better: an overview of possible causes

Anxious behaviour in the oral healthcare is often called as ‘dental anxiety’ or ‘dental phobia’. However, the terminology is more nuanced and such behaviour could also be a symptom of other anxiety problems. These might include anxiety disorders, such as a specific phobia, social anxiety disorder or panic disorder. But it may also involve other psychological disorders with pronounced anxiety characteristics, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and illness anxiety disorder. Finally, anxious behaviour can also stem from certain personality disorders (avoidant, dependent, compulsive). The characteristics of the most common anxiety-related disorders relevant to an oral healthcare practice are described. Pathological type of anxiety can complicate dental treatment and/or patient-dentist relationship, and lead to avoidance behaviour. It is therefore important for oral healthcare professionals to have a better understanding of the concept of ‘anxiety’, to be able to distinguish between mild/moderate anxiety and various pathological forms of anxiety, and refer to patients to differentiated care if necessary.