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PEOPLE WHO ARE afraid of the dentist’s chair may have it in their genes.
Psychology researchers at West Virginia University Cameron Randall and Daniel McNeil have found that ental care-related fear and anxiety is due, in part, to genetic influences inherited from parents. The study is one of the first to suggest that genetics, in addition to environmental factors, can be a basis for patients fearing dental treatment.
The study demonstrates that fear of pain, a problem related to but separate from dental fear, is heritable, too. The authors found that some of the genes that influence fear of pain likely also influence dental fear. This finding provides new information that clarifies how fear of pain may contribute to the development of dental fear.
Randall, a doctoral candidate in WVU’s Department of Psychology, says the study provides a more comprehensive conceptualisation of dental care-related fear, an understanding that may improve dental care in the future.
“The most important conclusion of this study is that our genes may predispose us to be more susceptible to developing dental fear, perhaps through pain-related variables,” Randall said.
Around 15% of people describe themselves as being afraid of the dentist.
“This information, along with a well-documented understanding of the important role of prior experiences and environment in causing dental fear, may help us develop new ways to treat dental fear and phobia,” Randall said.
The study will be published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.
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Bull, genes, loads of rubbish. I never had a fear until about 5 years ago and I had no option but to go to a different dentist for a treatment. She absolutely butchered my gums and i ended up having to have medical treatment and some serious pain killers and antibiotics.
I have a good idea what would be in my jeans……
Couldn’t agree more. My fear goes back to when the local health centre dentist would call around to the school in the early to mid 1980′s. He was the Dougal from father Ted of the dental profession. Filling and extractions were carried about without the use local anesthetic. Even thinking about it now freaks me out.
Same here Niall, I’ve had so many encounters with dentists that had more in common with butchery than dentistry, as a result I’ve had my jaw broken when one tried to remove an impacted tooth (which didn’t need removing), another’s atrocious work ended up with me suffering lockjaw – twice. Hospital another time with antibiotics and emergency surgery. Every single bloody time something goes wrong, so yea my fear is real definitely not imagined. Genes my backside, just atrociously badly trained quacks.
I had a dentist reaf at my tooth which broke and I had to go back twice to try to get the root out. Turns out he took out the wrong tooth my orthodontist wanted! Pretty sure that’s why I’m afraid of dentists.
I have a cure for this …… 1. Hold your dentists balls in your hand . 2 Look him in the eye and say ” you hurt me I hurt you “….3 enjoy a pain free session..
Genetics my hole! I’ve a serious fear of the dentist, so bad that my dentist refuses to extract a tooth unless I’m sedated. I’m pretty sure my fear started when I was four years old in St. James hospital. Being pinned down by five adults while they tried to sedate me with gas and then waking up on a bare bed not knowing where I was or what happened only that I was in pain. To this day as soon as I lie in the dentist chair the panic starts, even though my current dentist is brilliant, I bet she curses the day I first walked through her door! Even thinking about it now makes my palms sweaty!
My fear of the dentist goes back to my National School days , the dentist would call to the school and be paid for each extraction, I lost a front tooth that should never have been pulled. I can still see the room , with blood all over the floor ( 1955/56)
It’s cognitive behaviour in the majority of cases just like a fear of mice, rats etc
I think most people in Ireland born in the 50′s onwards have vivid memories of the health board dentist. I remember him having his knee on my chest holding me down for dental treatment as a very young child. Is it any wonder that I am still absolutely terrified of dentists and often go through extreme pain rather than attend one. It is still a source of wonder and joy to me that all my adult children attend the dentist on a regular basis and have no fear whatsoever.
I reckon it’s the pain and mostly the price involved with a trip to the dentist. Every time I go, I get a list of what needs doing and a price. Then I get anxious because I’ve no idea how I’m going to pay for it.
Its in their genes, only if they have a dentist like in that photo as many have already thought lol. The fear of the dentist is NOT in the genes but the fear of a person injuring you might be? The rest is psychological as people teach themselves by experience and with lies?
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