It is a prospect that fills most of us with as much fear as a horror movie – the dreaded trip to the dentist.
And for as many as one in five adults, it is claimed, the thought is so scary that they never book a check-up.
Now help is at hand, scientists say – counselling. For experts claim that people who are terrified of the dentist can overcome their phobia by undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy.
It has been shown to help four in five patients with a severe phobia to have dental treatment without the need for sedation. They were able to conquer their fear after an average of five sessions. Psychologists studied 31 men and 99 women attending a specialist cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service for people terrified of dental injections and drills.
Nearly all had suffered problems with their teeth, mouth or gums as a result of avoiding the dentist.
CBT seeks to overcome problems such as anxiety and depression by changing habits of thought and behaviour.
It uses a strategy similar to that used in the popular “mindfulness” technique – making people much more aware of their thoughts and feelings and how they react to them.
Of those treated at the clinic, run by King’s College London Dental Institute’s health psychology service, 79% went on to have treatment without needing to be sedated. A further 6% were able to brave the dentist, but only after sedation.
Professor Tim Newton, who led the King’s College team, said: “Our study shows that after on average five CBT sessions, most people can go on to be treated by the dentist without the need to be sedated.”
Daily Mail