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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

Can Therapy Cure Dental Anxiety? How CBT Can Help Overcome Dentist Fear

Aug 15th, 2025

For many people, the fear of going to the dentist isn’t just mild nervousness—it’s overwhelming enough to stop them from getting even basic dental care. Over time, avoiding the dentist can lead to serious oral health problems, from untreated cavities to gum disease.

But there’s good news: help is available, and it might not be what you expect.

What Is Dental Anxiety?

Dental anxiety—also called dental phobia—is a common condition that can make routine checkups feel impossible. For some, the thought of sitting in a dental chair triggers intense worry, panic, or even physical symptoms like a racing heartbeat.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented form of therapy used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and phobias. By identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with more realistic ones, CBT can help patients approach dental visits with less fear.

Most CBT programs for dental anxiety last between 6 and 10 sessions—sometimes even fewer.

The Research on CBT and Dental Phobia

  • A study in the British Dental Journal evaluated 130 patients with severe dental anxiety using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).
  • 75% of participants met criteria for a true dental phobia.
  • After CBT, 79% could undergo treatment without sedation; another 6% completed treatment with sedation.
  • The average patient needed only five sessions before feeling ready for dental care.

Reference: British Dental Journal (link to full study when available).

Other Options for Anxiety-Free Dentistry

While CBT is effective, it’s not the only solution. Sedation dentistry offers a way for patients to receive care comfortably, even if anxiety remains a barrier—especially helpful while you work on overcoming fear.

Take the First Step Toward Fear-Free Dental Care

Overcoming dental anxiety is possible—and the sooner you do, the sooner you can enjoy a healthier smile. Whether through CBT, sedation dentistry, or a combination, you can change how you feel about visiting the dentist.

Ready for a stress-free visit? Dr. Paul Mathews is a leading practitioner of sedation dentistry in the Salem, NH area. We create a calm, judgment-free environment for every patient.

Request an appointment • (603) 952-3776

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.