People with severe dental anxiety are more likely to be dissatisfied with their appearance, which may lead to poorer oral health, depression, and further anxiety, according to a doctoral thesis presented on May 29 at the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden.
"People with severe dental anxiety are often trapped in a vicious cycle that begins with avoidance of dental care," stated thesis author Viktor Carlsson, PhD, in a university news article. "The next stage is poorer oral health, often followed by a sense of shame and withdrawal from social intercourse."
Carlsson also found that those with severe dental anxiety also had a greater occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and that cognitive behavioral therapy may help patients cope with their anxiety.
