DENTAL ANXIETY: ETIOLOGY, CONSEQUENCES, ASSESSMENT, AND MANAGEMENT
DENTAL ANXIETY: ETIOLOGY, CONSEQUENCES, ASSESSMENT, AND MANAGEMENT

Summary/Abstract: Dental anxiety is a common problem in dental practice that may adversely affect patients' behaviour, dental care utilization, and the maintenance of good oral health. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current scientific evidence on dental anxiety, dental fear, and dental phobia. It discusses the main distinctions among these concepts, the factors associated with their development, and their consequences for oral health and quality of life. Special attention is paid to the role of previous negative dental experiences, fear of pain, individual psychological characteristics, and social factors in the development of dental anxiety. The review also examines the impact of dental anxiety on dental care utilization, its association with the avoidance of dental treatment, and its effect on quality of life. In addition, it presents the principal contemporary approaches to the assessment and management of dental anxiety, emphasizing the importance of its early recognition and the implementation of an individualized patient-centred approach. Such an approach may improve patient cooperation during treatment and contribute to the more effective delivery of dental care.

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