Survey shows widespread dental anxiety, with many interested in virtual treatment.
The majority of people understand that dental visits are important, yet fear of the dentist continues to keep many away from routine care. A recent national survey by researchers at New York University found that nearly three out of four adults report some degree of dental fear, making it far more widespread than earlier studies suggested. Almost half of the respondents described their fear as moderate, while more than a quarter said it was severe.
Fear of dental visits is not a small issue. When people avoid cleanings and checkups, problems build up quietly. Cavities, gum disease, and infections may go untreated until pain forces a trip to the chair. By then, the treatment is usually more involved, which can reinforce the very fear that caused the delay in the first place. It becomes a repeating cycle—avoidance leads to worse problems, and worse problems create more reasons to avoid.
What is striking is that the majority of those who reported moderate to severe fear also expressed an interest in treatment that could reduce their anxiety. More than seven in ten said they would be open to a brief, home-based program if it were free. Those who were not interested often cited doubts about whether such programs would work, felt satisfied with their current coping strategies, or worried about the time commitment.
The research team at NYU has been developing and testing just such an approach. Their program, called Dental FearLess, combines an app with optional telehealth sessions. It uses principles from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people face their fear in gradual steps. Early results have been promising, with half of participants in a pilot study reporting that their fear was gone after completing the program. Larger trials are ongoing.
Understanding why fear takes hold of the majority of adults is just as important as creating treatments. Earlier research already showed that many people who dread the dentist can trace the feeling back to negative experiences, often during childhood. In the new work, researchers looked more closely at the role of memory. Many participants described vivid recollections of painful procedures or distressing encounters with dental professionals. Some even remembered outdated practices such as a dentist placing a hand over a child’s mouth to control behavior, a technique now recognized as harmful and removed from clinical guidelines.
Memories of humiliation, feeling ignored, or believing that unnecessary procedures were being recommended also left lasting impressions. Such experiences did not just shape opinions of one provider but influenced lifelong attitudes toward dental care. In many cases, these memories colored how parents talk about dental visits with their children, passing on anxiety to the next generation.
The findings point to two key issues. First, dental fear is more common than previously understood, and many people want help in addressing it. Second, the way dental care is experienced—especially early in life—can shape attitudes for decades. For current practitioners, the lesson is clear: open communication, respect for patient concerns, and transparency in decision-making can prevent harmful memories from taking root.
While technology-based solutions like apps and telehealth sessions will not eliminate fear in the majority of adults overnight, they may lower barriers for those who feel too nervous to seek help in person. By meeting patients where they are, often at home, such programs offer a gentler entry point into care. If these tools continue to show positive results, they could become a standard option alongside traditional approaches.
Dental fear is not likely to disappear entirely, but research is giving it more attention than in the past. The combination of better understanding, new treatment options, and more patient-centered dental practices offers hope for breaking the cycle. Reducing fear does not just improve oral health; it can also lessen the stress and stigma that keep people away from the care they need.
Sources:
Most adults experience dental fear and show interest in virtual fear-treatments
Adults are fighting tooth and nail against going to the dentist: Here’s why
A census-matched survey of dental fear and fear-treatment interest in the United States
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