Women fear dental treatment

Many fear the dentist, but none more so than women.

By Isaac Kim

Dental phobia refers to the fear and anxiety a patient feels during an oral treatment. Studies show the level of anxiety in dental phobia is higher for females.

Dental researchers Choi Ja-eun, Yang Hyun-ju and Ahn So-yeon from Wonkwang College of Dentistry issued their report in the Korea Dental Medicine Association Magazine.

The research team surveyed 304 students (121 males, 183 females) from a middle school in Gyeongi-do. They were asked to rate their fear of dentist clinics from one to five, one being not afraid and five being very afraid. Results concluded girls had a greater fear of dental treatment than boys. The average score for girls was 52.38 and 47.24 for boys.

More girls ranked five and four than boys on survey questions such as afraid after arriving at the dental clinic, waiting in the lounge for oral treatment, and looking at anesthesia needles.

The research team suggested, “To prevent dental phobia, a patient’s treatment program should be carefully planned, and psychological reliefs such as soothing music should be something to think about.”