Introduction
de Jongh A, Fransen Jet al. Eur J Oral Sci2006; 114: 286–292
The origins of both phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be found in a wide range of distressing events. In this study, 141 subjects with high levels of dental anxiety (mean score 16.9) attending a clinic in Amsterdam were compared with a reference group of 99 patients (7.9) from ordinary dental practices.
In the high anxiety group, significantly more patients were female and fewer were married or co-habiting, and they were significantly more likely to have experienced any form of trauma, medical or dental trauma, or violent crime. However, perhaps because of small numbers, no difference was found for those who had experienced more specific forms of trauma. Regression analysis identified "horrific dental treatment" and "violent crime" as associated with both PTSD and dental phobia. The authors suggest that patients with trauma-related dental phobia should be referred to mental health specialists for screening and help.
