Introduction - Dental Hygiene Fear: Gender & Age Differences

Dental fears literature has consistently shown that a large percentage of dentally fearful individuals attribute a traumatic or negative dental experience in childhood as a major contributor to their fear and anxiety of the dental setting.^2,10 Walker et al. examined the association between nondentally related childhood and adult traumatic experiences (i.e., sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect) in women and subsequent dental fear or anxiety.⁸ Results indicated that women with a higher prevalence of child maltreatment and adult sexual and physical assault had significantly higher levels of dental fear.

These patients reported fear of being trapped in the dental chair, feeling claustrophobic, unable to breathe, or experiencing choking or severe gagging which subsequently interfered with the provision of dental treatment. The authors concluded that for these patients, a sense of helplessness and lack of control appear to be related to their dentally related fear.