Prevalence of dentistry phobia and its relation to missing teeth, alveolar bone loss and dental care habits in an urban community sample.

In a representative sample of 784 women in Gothenburg, aged 38-54 years, the point prevalence of dentistry phobia was 13.4%; 4.3% suffered a dentistry phobia of high degree. The prevalence was much increased in women with low school education and in the lower social classes. In most cases (88%) the phobia onset occurred before age 20. Only 11% of the phobic subjects were aware of having been exposed to anxiety-provoking dental treatment situations at onset of phobia. All phobics reported a chronic course, although most of them (90%) had partial remissions at times. Phobia of dental treatment was related to high number of missing teeth, high amount of alveolar bone loss and a high prevalence of removable dentures. Most associations between dentistry phobia and impaired dental status remained statistically significant when allowance was made for age and social class. The neglected dental status in the phobic women may have psychological effects and impair the social functioning. As the incidence peak occurs early in life, preventive measures must primarily be directed against children and adolescents.