Study Reveals Middle-Aged Women Most Likely to Suffer from Dental Phobia,

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A study has revealed that women in their forties are most likely to suffer from dental phobia

The case-control study, which was carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney, is now in its fifth year and the team has discovered that women in their forties are most likely to suffer from dental anxiety and dental phobia. The study has found that women in this age category are also most likely to suffer from anxiety, stress and depression.

Dr Avanti Karve, special needs dentist at the University of Sydney Faculty of Dentistry and co-ordnator of the research project, said that dental phobia was “very real and complex” and some people have such a deep-seated fear that even hearing the word ‘dentist’ can cause them to suffer from extreme anxiety.

Dr Karve said that dental phobia should never be overlooked and despite major advances in treatments to reduce anxiety, figures still suggest that around 40 percent of the Australian population suffers from dental fear. A telephone survey recently revealed that patients who suffer from dental anxiety wait an average of 17 days to arrange an appointment when they are suffering from severe dental pain, in contrast to just 3 days for an individual who does not suffer from dental anxiety.

Dr Karve’s study aims to improve the management of dental phobia.

 

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