If the thought of sitting in a dental chair fills you with anxiety, you are far from alone. This is a very common and treatable phenomenon.
In the UK, almost half of adults experience some degree of dental anxiety. For many, this fear can become severe enough that they avoid or prolong seeking out care for a very long time.
At LPID, we see this happen regularly. One patient of ours, who felt too overwhelmed to book a visit, spent years hiding her teeth in embarrassment. After gaining the confidence to book, she went on to complete periodontal treatment and Invisalign with us, and now comfortably attends her maintenance visits. She has shared her experience here.
In cases like this, our approach is always slow, judgement-free, and marked by clear, step-by-step explanations. We know how difficult it can be to overcome fear and stigma. We understand this, and our approach is built around it.
What is the difference between dental fear, dental anxiety, and dental phobia?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe slightly different experiences. It is important to recognize the differences.
Dental anxiety is a general sense of unease or apprehension about dental visits. You might feel nervous in the days leading up to an appointment, or tense once you are in the waiting room.
Dental fear is a strong emotional response that is more specifically triggered by a particular thing, including the sound of the drill, the sight of a needle, or even the smell of a dental practice.
Dental phobia is the most severe. It is a persistent, intense fear that leads people to avoid dental care entirely, even when they know they need it. For some, even thinking about booking an appointment can cause significant distress.
All three are valid, and all three are things we can work with together.
What causes dental fear?
It is rare for dental anxiety to not have a cause. Some of the most common triggers include:
A previous difficult experience
One of the most frequent causes of dental anxiety is having had a painful or distressing treatment in the past (particularly in childhood). These memories can stay with people for years and shape how they feel about all future dental visits.
Fear of pain
Even though modern dentistry is becoming increasingly less uncomfortable, the association between dentistry and pain is deeply ingrained for many people. The anticipation of pain can be very overwhelming.
Fear of loss of control
For many, it can feel deeply unsettling to lie down in a dental chair without being able to speak or clearly see what is happening. Not being able to signal that you need a moment is a significant source of anxiety for many patients.
Fear of needles or injections
Being afraid of needles is one of the most commonly reported specific fears, yet it is one that people regularly still find difficult to admit.
Embarrassment
Patients who have avoided the dentist for a long time sometimes experience a sense of feeling ashamed about the state of their teeth. For them, worrying about being judged or criticised adds to the barrier of booking an appointment.
Sensory triggers
The sounds, smells, and physical sensations associated with a dental environment can themselves provoke anxiety. This can be particularly acute for patients who have had difficult experiences in the past.
How dental anxiety affects your oral health
One of the unfortunate parts about dental fear is that avoidance tends to make things worse over time. Routine problems that would be straightforward to address at an early stage can develop into more complex issues which then require more involved treatment and reinforce anxiety.
Stress and anxiety themselves have impacts on people’s overall health. A UK Adult Dental Health Survey of over 11,000 adults found that around 11.6% of UK adults experience high dental anxiety. This figure is likely underreported.
Furthermore, stress and anxiety can affect your oral health by contributing to issues such as teeth grinding, dry mouth, and gum sensitivity. All of these conditions can make existing concerns feel more acute.
With this in mind, it is important to remember that breaking the cycle of not seeking treatment is possible and rarely requires a dramatic leap. Often, the first step is simply a conversation.
What we do to help nervous patients at LPID
We believe the first consultation is one of the most important parts of a patient’s journey. It gives us the opportunity to understand the whole picture of what they have experienced and build a trustful relationship.
Unfortunately, dentistry has not always been as advanced as it is today, and not every patient has had positive experiences. Many people come to us carrying fear, anxiety, or disappointment from previous treatment. In our experience though, those feelings can change.
When patients begin to understand the root cause of their concerns and have their fears acknowledged, they start to develop new, positive associations with dental visits. For this to happen, consistently compassionate care is a must.
This transformation takes time. Often we see shifts beginning to occur after two or three appointments, with more comfort at every stage of a visit.
In order to demonstrate our genuine care and commitment to excellent care to each of our patients, we focus on a few key components:
We start with a conversation. Your first appointment does not have to involve any treatment at all. We can begin with a discussion about your concerns, your dental history, and what you would like to achieve at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
We communicate clearly throughout. You will always know what is going to happen before it happens. We explain each step in plain language, and we will never proceed without your understanding and agreement.
You remain in control. Ahead of treatment, we prioritize agreeing on a signal that you can use for your dentist. Often a raised hand is used to let us know if you need to pause at any point. This knowledge provides another layer of security.
We offer sedation options. For patients whose anxiety makes treatment very difficult, our sedation service can help you feel calm and relaxed throughout your appointment.
Whether you need mild oral sedation or IV sedation for more complex cases, we will find the approach that works for you, and that makes treatment genuinely accessible rather than something to endure.
A gentle way back in
For patients who have been away from dental care for a long time, a hygiene appointment can be a natural first step. It tends to feel less clinical than a full examination and gives you the opportunity to meet the team.
Getting used to the environment first can be a good way to gradually rebuild confidence. Many of our most anxious patients who have started slowly have told us that their first hygiene visit was far less daunting than they expected.
Whenever you feel ready, we are here. Let us know when you’d like to start with a consultation that’s pressure and commitment-free.
Dr Leticia Casanova
Co-Founder & Periodontist
GDC number: 182582
Leticia Casanova
Co-Founder & Periodontist
GDC number: 182582
Dr Casanova graduated in dentistry from the University of Oviedo, Spain in 2006. Following a period of work in private practice she moved to New York where she completed 2 years full-time training in Periodontology at New York University College of Dentistry. She completed her PhD in Medicine in 2012, where she investigated the links between Periodontal disease and systemic diseases such as Diabetes.
Since arriving in the UK in 2009 Dr Casanova has restricted her practice to periodontology and implant dentistry offering a full range of periodontal treatments including regenerative and cosmetic procedures, microsurgical periodontal plastic surgery (gum surgery), implant dentistry and bone augmentation procedures. She is a Specialist Clinical Teacher at KCL Guy’s Hospital.
Dr Casanova is a member of the British Society of Periodontology, American Academy of Periodontology, Royal Society of Medicine and the Association of Dental Implantology UK. She regularly attends National and International conferences and publishes and presents her work in peer reviewed dental journals and dental meetings.