Four dimensions of fear of dental injections

Abstract

In 1995, students and staff at the University of Washington were surveyed regarding avoidance of dental care and fear of dental injections. More than 25 percent of adults surveyed expressed at least one clinically significant fear of injections. Almost one in 20 respondents indicated avoiding, cancelling or not appearing for dental appointments because of fear of dental injections. Fear of dental injections consists of four dimensions. General fear of dental injections including pain of injection and of bodily injury from injection are the two most common dimensions of dental injection fear. Many people also express fears of acquired disease. Fear related to local anesthetic (such as side effects, inadequate anesthesia) is less frequent. Some respondents have fears that must be categorized using more than one of these dimensions. Understanding the nature of a patient's fear of injection may suggest strategies to address his or her concerns.