The contribution of embarrassment to phobic dental anxiety: a qualitative research study

Abstract

Background: Embarrassment is emphasized, yet scantily described as a factor in extreme dental anxiety or phobia. Present study aimed to describe details of social aspects of anxiety in dental situations, especially focusing on embarrassment phenomena.

Accessing dental anxiety online support groups: An exploratory qualitative study of motives and experiences

“…Secondly, dental anxiety and phobia can have a wide-ranging and profound impact on individuals' daily lives 8 . Patients report significant psychological and social consequences of their anxiety or phobia; shame and embarrassment are common experiences 9 with research indicating that patients often report widespread negative social life effects 2,10 and a threat to self-respect and well-being 11,12 .…”

Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review

“…Certainly, some adults with dental phobia express concerns regarding social powerlessness associated with embarrassment or distrust of dentist behaviours often stemming from being poorly treated by a past dentist. 161 If using a raised voice works in the short term to gain compliance in the dental chair, but leads to lasting feelings of resentment and distrust in the child, the process may do more harm than good when it comes to managing dental anxiety. Certainly, more research is needed in this area before definitive recommendations can be made.…”

Does the trait anxiety affect the dental fear?

“…Contents of this cycle include avoidance, increased the degree of dental problems, and may lead to feelings of embarrassment and inferiority. 9,10,11 Beyond the dental health state of the individual, dental fear also could affect the dentist-patient relation causing to misdiagnosis and redundant delay during the treatment process. 12 The interaction between dental fear and trait anxiety has been examined in different types of studies.…”