FEAR OF DENTISTS CLAIMS GIRL’S LIFE BUT PHOBIA CAN BE CURED
Dental phobia is a serious condition that needs proper treatment, says dental expert
The news that a girl of eight has starved to death because she had a fear of dentists has made headlines today.
Eight-year-old Sophie Walker developed the fear after having her tongue cut in a routine procedure and then having to have her milk teeth removed. She then refused to open her mouth to eat and died three weeks later, an inquest has been told.
“This is a shocking and terribly sad tragedy,” says Dr Solanki of the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide. “It’s well documented that people are scared of going to the dentist but this fear is seldom taken seriously.
“It is such an issue that there are dentists that are dedicated to treating dental phobia and many of these have a 100% success rate.”
Solanki says that in the case of young Sophie Walker, from Cornwall, her fears were based on an awful experience but many others have an irrational fear which means they do not visit their dentists, putting their health at risk as a result.
“This case is awful but extreme,” says Solanki. “It’s important that people with a fear of dentists know that help is at hand and try to tackle their concerns.”
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