The study showed unexpected reasons for fear of dentists

From 8 to 20% of children and adolescents experience severe fear of dental treatment, which meets the criteria for diagnosis “Fear of dental treatment.” New research Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) shows that the reasons for this fear are not so typical that we are used to thinking about. The results of the study are published in BMC Oral Health.

Scientists analyzed the data of more than 5800 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. The study revealed the connection between stressful events in childhood – such as violence, divorce of parents, abuse or bullying – and an increased level of anxiety when visiting a dentist. In other words, painful experiences in life can affect how a person reacts to teeth treatment.

“The lying on the back in the dentist’s chair makes patients vulnerable, and the authoritative figure next to you, which is also picking inside the mouth, can strengthen a sense of anxiety,” explains the psychologist Lena Miran, a specialist in the Tannhelse Midt (Tkmidt) competence center.

She notes that these experiences are especially affected by adolescents who have undergone stressful events in childhood. The results showed that the more stresses the teenager survived, the higher the probability of developing dental fear. At the same time The connection was stronger in girlsthan the boys. According to Miran, this is due to the fact that the girls were more often subjected to psychological injuries, and are also more prone to the development of anxiety and depression in adolescence.

The study emphasizes that fear of the dentist is formed not only because of painful procedures in the clinic, as many years thought.

“Some children experienced traumatic events, but their dental fear did not develop. Fear is usually most pronounced in childhood and decreases over time, ”says Miran.

The TKMIDT center is working on supporting patients with strong anxiety in front of the dentist. They created the Trygge Barn I Tannbehandling service (the safety of children in dental treatment), which helps children and adolescents to cope with this fear. Employees of the Center teach dentists to work with frightened patients, helping them feel safer and more confident.

A simple discussion of alarms with a doctor can greatly facilitate the visit.

“It is enough for patients to say to the dentist that they are afraid. This helps the doctor be more attentive and create a safe atmosphere, ”says Miran.

Researchers also recall that regular dental visits can be stressful for children, especially if they have already encountered painful procedures. But timely support, attention and understanding on the part of the dentist help to reduce fear and preserve the health of the teeth.

Thus, the fear of the dentist often has deep roots associated with children’s experience, and not just unpleasant sensations during procedures. Awareness of these factors helps doctors and parents create more comfortable conditions and reduce anxiety in children and adolescents.