Many people feel so anxious about visiting the dentist that it interferes with receiving care — a reality that can have significant health implications.
This visual report from CareQuest Institute, based on results from a 2021 survey of 5,320 adults, explores the impacts of dental fear and how it varies by demographic groups. Key findings include:
- Hispanic adults were more than two times more likely to report dental fear compared with white adults. Black and Asian adults were also more likely to report dental fear than white adults.
- 60% of adults who reported experiencing dental fear at their last dental appointment were female.
- Nearly 3% of adults reported that at their last dental appointment, they were “so frightened and nervous” that it either made the dental treatment difficult or the treatment didn’t succeed.
The report also provides guidance and resources for dental providers to help them address dental fear in patients, highlighting practices such as building trust through good communication and providing clear information about procedures.
You may also be interested in:
- Survey Suggests Optimism on Teledentistry Experience & Access, a report explaining that patients who had experiences with teledentistry had positive feedback, and that many who had never had a virtual visit were willing to try it.
- A Dental Provider's Role in Supporting Patients with Diabetes, a video that explains how dental providers can play a key role in diabetes management.
- A Patient Guide to Visiting the Dentist, an infographic that dentists can use to prepare patients for the steps they and their dentist may take before, during, and after a dental appointment in the era of COVID-19.
