Published online Nov 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i11.642
Revised: July 21, 2014
Accepted: September 4, 2014
Published online: November 16, 2014
Processing time: 151 Days and 15.7 Hours
The aim of this article was to analyze the theories underpinning dental fear, anxiety and phobias. To be included, articles must have been published between the years of 1949 and 2013 concerning fears and phobias within dentistry and/or psychiatry. Of 200 articles originally under review, 140 were included and reviewed by the authors.Five specific pathways relating to dental fear and anxiety were identified; Cognitive Conditioning, Informative, Visual Vicarious, Verbal Threat, and Parental. Eight currently accepted management techniques across all dental disciplines for dental fear and anxiety were identified. Further research is required to identify clinical diagnosis and treatment for fears originating from different pathways.
Core tip: (1) 5 pathways to the origin of dental fear and anxiety have been identified in this review: Cognitive Conditioning, Informative, Visual Vicarious, Verbal Threat, and Parental; (2) Development of fear and anxiety may be unique for each individual, with patients often associating fear to a combination of factors (Pathways); and (3) Management of fear and anxiety should include an understanding of the origins of dental fear.