Almost a quarter of adults in the U.S. experience moderate to high levels of dental anxiety, with another 3 to 4 percent experiencing severe dental phobia.1 This dental anxiety often results in those with dental anxiety delaying or skipping routine dental check-ups.
The reality is that 50 percent of those with intense dental fear say it originated in childhood and can be traced back to a traumatic or negative childhood dental experience.2
There are some things parents can do to help minimize or prevent their child’s dental anxiety.
Easing Triggers
There are a few common dental anxiety triggers that can affect both adults and children. Being aware of these triggers can help parents and dental professionals take steps to manage and/or prevent dental anxiety.
Fear of pain from injections, drilling and extractions is high on the list of triggers. A technique that has proven effective in reducing anxiety in about 70 percent of patients is “tell-show-do” in which the dental practitioner guides the patient step-by-step through the procedure by explaining what they are going to do and the instruments they will use.3
Once the patient is told about the procedure, the dental team will demonstrate what they will do and finally when the child understands what will happen, the procedure will be performed. Topic anesthetics can be used prior to injections so eliminate injection site pain.
Calm the Senses
For many children and adults sensory aspects of dental care can also be overwhelming. These include the sound of drills, the smell of chemicals and the sights of viewing sharp and foreign-looking dental instruments.
The sounds in a dentist office can be minimized by using headphones or ear buds so the child can listen to a favorite story or music. To avoid the smells in a dentist office, many offices are now using air purifying systems, which also reduce airborne allergens and bacteria.
Many dental offices, especially pediatric dentist, keep dental instruments covered or in cabinets until they are ready to be used, only revealing them after children have been introduced to the instruments during the tell-show-do session.
Relaxed Parent
A parent’s dental anxiety can be transferred to their child, so it is vitally important that a parent accompanying a child to the dentist reflect calmness, rather than nervousness. Remember that adults are role models to children, who quite frequently mimic behaviors that they observe.
A Scottish study found that a high predictor of dental anxiety for the 13- and 14-year-olds studied was the number of people in the child’s life who were afraid of going to the dentist.4
Address Questions
Let your child know that a dental visit is upcoming rather than springing it on them at the last minute with the mistaken belief that they will have less time to worry. Use the time prior to the visit to listen and address your child’s questions and fears. Make sure that your child understands the importance of regular dental check-ups as part of good oral hygiene practices.
In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and systematic desensitization can be employed, with the help of a trained therapist, to reduce dental anxiety. In qualitative studies CBT has been found to improve children’s ability to manage dental anxiety.5
The Best Dental Practice for Children Near You
Sedki Dentistry in Commerce is a trusted dental practice for children, and families throughout the area love us! Our dental staff is friendly, caring and strives to make sure your child enjoys a comfortable and pleasant experience.
Committed to children’s oral health, it’s our goal to create a path for your child to follow a lifetime of a healthy mouth and smile. We provide dental services to include cosmetic dentistry, dental treatments such as implants and dentures, gum rejuvenation and more. Schedule a Free Dental Consultation today!
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1, 2, 3 How Does Dental Anxiety Affect Your Oral Health? by Mara Sugue, 3/6/2025
Link: https://www.newmouth.com/oral-health/dental-anxitey-statistics/
4 6 Ways to Ease Pediatric Dental Anxiety by Mark Burhenne, DDS, 6/26/2024
Link: https://askthedentist.com/childs-dental-anxiety/
5 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children with Dental Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial, 8/15/2016
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5772454/