Reasons for the Fear of Lying Back in a Dental Chair

According to Ellen Rodino, Ph.D., a California psychologist who has studied dental fear, when people are in the dentist's chair they feel a loss of control. Unable to speak or respond as the dentist leans over them, patients experience anxiety and fear.

Fear

• Peter Milgrom, D.D.S., director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, estimates that 5 to 8 percent of Americans avoid dentists because of fear. About 20 percent who experience anxiety will visit the dentist only when absolutely necessary.

Cause

• According to Milgrom, in two-thirds of cases the fear is due to negative dental experiences. In the other one-third, the cause is mood or anxiety disorders; substance abuse; or posttraumatic stress in war veterans, victims of domestic violence and victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Impact

• A person's dental health deteriorates to the point of embarrassment about inability to visit the dentist because of fear. Social interaction declines, as well as professional opportunities, due to loss of self-esteem. Untreated fear of the dentist may also lead to depression and severe anxiety.

Treatment

• Dentists create a nonthreatening environment to help reduce patient fears, using waterfall views, fireplaces in waiting rooms and soothing wall art. Dentists who communicate well with patients reduce fears by keeping them informed of procedures and telling them they can take a break at any time.

Self-Help

• Make yourself comfortable and look for ways to get your mind off being in the dentist's chair. Taking somebody you trust with you to the appointment, listening to music during procedures and controlling your breathing are three techniques that will help.