A review of Dental Anxiety; Influencing Factors, management and way forward

  ABSTRACT: Dental anxiety is one of the most common conditions present amongst the masses globally. It is this fear that makes individuals avoid seeking dental treatment which results in a deteriorated Oral health-related quality of life. Differences exist in the prevalence of dental anxiety based on gender, education levels, level of deprivation of a society and its socioeconomic status. In Knowing the reasons and factors that cause dental anxiety can help dentists effectively manage and treat their patients. The aim of this paper is to combine dentistry and psychology by looking at dental anxiety and phobia within the society, exploring its key causes, establishing what impacts it has on sufferers, and examining what dentists and others can do to alleviate these problems. Key treatments and specific psychological therapies are reviewed and suggestions are made for future strategy and research.

KEYWORDS: dental anxiety, management, way forward