Anxiety management techniques

Dental anxiety has been listed as a major reason for non-attendance and avoidance of regular dental care (Schuurs et al, 1980; Thomson et al, 1996; Armfield et al, 2007). The most recent Adult Dental Health Survey reported that dental health across the UK is improving, with 71% of dentate adults having no visible caries compared to 54% in 1998 (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011). This survey reported that 12% of adults deemed themselves as suffering with extreme dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is an extremely complex characteristic with many factors—including personality types, age and gender—affecting it. Previous bad experience and the memory of this experience are both significant factors for developing dental anxiety (Davey, 1989; McNeil and Berryman, 1989; Bergrenn, 1992).