Understanding and managing dental anxiety

Published August 2024 | 4 min read  
Expert contributors Dr Christopher Ho, dentist at HCF; Dr Gemma Sharp, senior clinical psychologist, Monash University  
Words by Jo Hartley 

Good dental health impacts our general wellbeing, which is why overcoming dental anxiety is so important. Here are some expert tips to give you something to smile about. 

Is dental anxiety holding you back from improving your oral health? You’re not alone. A survey by the Australian Dental Association found that 58% of Aussies delayed visiting the dentist in the past year, and 64% only visit when they perceive there’s a problem.  

Dr Gemma Sharp, senior clinical psychologist at Monash University, says there are several reasons people may delay dental visits. “They might be concerned about the costs involved, they cannot get time away from work, they have not found the 'right' dentist for their needs. They may also think any symptoms they are experiencing are not sufficiently severe to need to go to the dentist.” 

As well as these factors, around 16% of adults and 10% of children avoid the dentist because of worry or fear – a condition known as ‘dental anxiety’. 

What is dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety refers to fear, anxiety or stress related to a dental setting. When it becomes severe and results in someone avoiding the dentist altogether, it can be classified as dental phobia.

“When people have dental anxiety, they tend to avoid the dentist for long periods of time, and when they do come in, they will be quite nervous and sweaty,” explains HCF dentist Dr Christopher Ho.

He adds that in some severe cases, people with a fear of the dentist have signs of dental neglect and bad oral hygiene, because they find it hard to even focus on their own teeth or their own mouth.

Dr Sharp says several factors can contribute to dental anxiety. “People may have had prior painful or distressing experiences with treatments or may have a fear of injections or anaesthesia,” she says, adding that other reasons can include a feeling of not being in control, a strong aversion to the sight or thought of blood, a fear or gagging or choking, a low pain threshold and issues with trust or personal space.

There are some mental health conditions that may also have a connection to dental anxiety – these include depression, mood disorders and generalised anxiety.

Why oral health is so important for overall health and wellbeing

Regular dental check-ups aren't just about maximising your extras cover; they're important for maintaining good dental health. Taking care of your teeth not only affects your appearance, speech and ability to eat but also has a significant impact on your overall health.

“Dental health is so important to our mental and physical health,” says Dr Ho. “Our oral health is linked to our digestion and our mouth can harbour bacteria that can get into the bloodstream and cause other issues."

Oral hygiene, he adds, is also linked to our self-esteem in many cases. Plus, there’s growing evidence that links poor dental health to conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. Regular check-ups may help reduce your risk of developing these chronic diseases. Dr Ho recommends a check-up every six months.

Why seeing a dentist is now less stressful

Thanks to changes and advances in technology and practices, visiting the dentist is now less stressful than ever, says Dr Ho.

“Everything is being modernised when it comes to dentistry,” he says. “Forget those old clunky chairs and exposed equipment – now the dentist is not as scary looking. Patient comfort is more the priority.”

Dr Ho points to a number of factors that have helped improve the dental experience.

• Modern equipment tends to be more efficient and quicker, which can mean less time in the dental chair.
• Digital scanning technology provides a less invasive way to take impressions of your teeth.
• Medicinal aids like gas and conscious sedation can help people to relax during dental treatments.
• Awareness of dental anxiety has prompted dentists to adopt a more empathetic and patient-centered approach.
• Dentists now prioritise communication – actively listening to patients' concerns – and take steps to reduce anxiety throughout the appointment.
• Techniques like explaining procedures in detail, offering distractions like music or TV and providing options for sedation have become more common.

Tips to overcome dental anxiety

When it comes to making your dental experience less scary, Dr Ho says the key is finding a dentist you trust.

“Trust is a big thing in dentistry because of the nature of what we do; we cross into people’s personal space,” he says. “If you build a good rapport with a dentist, then your stress can really dimmish, but patients also need to take the first step to trust a new dentist.”

Here are some more ways to overcome your fear of the dentist:

Research dentists

Recommendations can be a good way of finding the right dentist for you, says Dr Ho. “When we see that family and friends have had a good experience, it can help ease our worries,” he explains. “But sometimes a bit of trial and error is needed to find a dentist you really get along with.”

Consider a support person

If you’re particularly anxious or worried about going to the dentist, Dr Ho says bringing a support person can help calm your nerves and distract you.

Be honest with your dentist

Make sure you’re upfront and honest with your dentist before the consultation. “Let your dentist know about your concerns so they can discuss what’s involved and answer your queries,” says Dr Sharp. “Together you can work out a way of letting them know when you need a break.”

Have routine checks

Visiting the dentist regularly to maintain your oral health can mean fewer problems in the future, and it can help get you used to the experience. Check your insurance policy to find out how much you’re covered for when it comes to dental visits. HCF members can visit one of our Dental Centres^*.

Depending on your level of cover and annual limits, HCF members can get 100% back on a dental check-up when visiting a dentist in our nationwide provider network*. Use our Find a Provider tool for easy access to affordable healthcare.  

 Practise mindfulness and muscle exercises

Engaging in mindful breathing before and during your appointment can help to calm your nerves, says Dr Sharp. She also recommends a relaxation technique called progressive muscle relaxation, where you actively tense specific muscle groups around the body and repeat.

Bring distractions

Before and during your appointment, you can try to distract yourself by playing with a gadget in your hands, talking to the dentist and even putting on noise-cancelling headphones and listening to music. Some dental surgeries even have TVs in the ceiling for this purpose.

Reward yourself

Dr Sharp suggests that organising a pleasurable activity before and after your dental appointment can help make the experience less nerve-racking and can help you get through it easier.

Seek help

If you feel like you might need a little extra support, Dr Sharp says to speak to an expert. This is especially important if you feel anxious or worried about other aspects of your life. too.

“If you’re struggling to make or attend an appointment, you can seek assistance from your GP or a mental health professional,” she says. “These experts are used to assisting people overcome anxieties and fears.”

For anxious children visiting a paediatric dentist, HCF’s partnership with Calm Kid Central^{^} can help. This is an online educational support program available to eligible HCF families, helping kids aged four to 11 manage their feelings and emotional challenges. The program provides confidential access to an experienced child psychologist who can answer your questions based on general information about children's mental health within 48 hours, as well as tools and resources to help you support your child. 

When would you need to see an emergency dentist?

A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs immediate attention, but the signs might be more subtle than you think, says Dr Ho.

“Look for warning signs like an increase in hot, cold and sweet sensitivity, any sort of discomfort with biting or any abnormal bleeding when you clean your teeth,” he says. “Basically, you should see a dentist if you have any discomfort that doesn’t go away in three to five days.”

Other reasons for a visiting an emergency dentist could include:

• chipped or broken teeth
• knocked out teeth
• facial or neck swelling
• mouth swelling
• trouble opening the jaw and/or swallowing.

Delaying a visit to the dentist and ignoring problems like tooth pain for too long can also result in emergency treatment. HCF data found that people who avoided the dentist were 1.5 times more likely to need major dental work down the track.

For serious or life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) or visit a hospital emergency department. 

Making dental care more affordable

We understand some people may also avoid the dentist because they’re worried about out-of-pocket costs.

Through our More for Teeth program, members who go to an HCF Dental Centre or dental provider in our No-Gap network can get 100% back on a range of common diagnostic and preventative services, depending on their level of cover and annual limits^*.