{"id":17679,"date":"2026-07-14T09:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/dental-anxiety-whats-behind-it-and-how-to-overcome-it\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:32:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T07:32:32","slug":"dental-anxiety-whats-behind-it-and-how-to-overcome-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/en\/dental-anxiety-whats-behind-it-and-how-to-overcome-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental anxiety: what\u2019s behind it and how to overcome it"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"17679\" class=\"elementor elementor-17679 elementor-17664\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a1f5388 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a1f5388\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-25daeab\" data-id=\"25daeab\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-813f317 zurueck-btn elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"813f317\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a onclick=\"window.history.go(-1); return false;\" class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\">\r\n  Back  <\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c746314 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c746314\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2484\" height=\"1556\" src=\"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-17677\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis.jpg 2484w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-1024x641.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-768x481.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-1536x962.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-2048x1283.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-750x470.jpg 750w, https:\/\/mund-um.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/zahnarztangst-koeln-mundum-zahnarztpraxis-1140x714.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2484px) 100vw, 2484px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cd2878 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4cd2878\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Around one in five people has dental anxiety. In Germany, that\u2019s an estimated 10 million people who associate the thought of a dental appointment with unease, a racing heart, or even real panic. Dental anxiety is therefore not an exception, but a widespread reality. The good news: modern dentistry has fundamentally changed. Treatments today are less painful, shorter, and more comfortable than they were a few decades ago. If you understand your dental anxiety, it\u2019s easier to find a way to overcome it.     <\/p><h2><strong>Where does dental anxiety come from?<\/strong><\/h2><p>Dental anxiety rarely has a single trigger. Most of the time, it\u2019s a combination of different factors that has built up over years. <\/p><p>Common causes include negative experiences in childhood, when a treatment was more painful or frightening than expected. Such memories leave a deep impression. Sometimes the sound of a drill or the typical smell of a dental practice is enough to trigger physical stress reactions.  <\/p><p>Another common factor is the feeling of losing control. Lying in the dental chair with your mouth wide open and instruments above your face can make you feel at someone else\u2019s mercy. For many people, this loss of control is what\u2019s truly distressing\u2014not necessarily the pain itself.  <\/p><p>Dental anxiety can also be passed on. According to a study by the University of St Andrews, children whose parents talk anxiously about dental visits are more likely to develop similar fears. This isn\u2019t a conscious process, but unconscious learning through observation.  <\/p><h2><strong>Why it\u2019s important to see the dentist early\u2014even if you\u2019re anxious<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9973d95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"9973d95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/nfs0vmp73JA&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0407da5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0407da5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many anxious patients put off appointments for as long as possible until pain forces them to come in. That\u2019s humanly understandable, but it reinforces the anxiety in the long run. <\/p><p>The longer it has been since the last dental visit, the more likely it is that more extensive treatment will be needed. More extensive treatments feel even more threatening to anxious patients. A classic vicious circle.  <\/p><p>The way out is to take that first step early. A first appointment doesn\u2019t have to be a treatment appointment. Many practices offer the option of simply coming by first: no treatment, no pressure\u2014just to get to know the practice. You\u2019ll be shown around, the team introduces itself, and questions are answered. This first conversation takes little time and removes much of the fear from the visit.    <\/p><p>Regular check-ups\u2014even short, straightforward ones\u2014also help you build positive experiences. Over time, your inner attitude toward dental visits changes. It doesn\u2019t happen overnight, but it does happen.  <\/p><h2><strong>What modern dentistry offers anxious patients<\/strong><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42a7cdb elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"42a7cdb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/shorts\\\/GD0jsoP2lmk&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-571e7d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"571e7d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dentistry has developed significantly over recent decades. Procedures that used to be unpleasant or painful are now much gentler. Digital technology makes treatments more precise and shorter. What used to take several sessions can often be completed in a single appointment today.   <\/p><p>Today, anxious patients have various options available to make treatment more comfortable.<\/p><h3><strong>Gentle anaesthesia<\/strong><\/h3><p>Modern local anaesthetics work reliably and are dosed so precisely that treatment is usually pain-free. If you\u2019re afraid of injections, you can say so openly. There are techniques that make anaesthesia particularly gentle\u2014for example, using a topical anaesthetic on the mucosa beforehand.  <\/p><h3><strong>Treatment with twilight sedation<\/strong><\/h3><p>With twilight sedation (also called sedation), the person receives a calming and pain-relieving medication via an infusion. They remain responsive, but are in a relaxed, half-asleep state and hardly notice the treatment. The risks are significantly lower than with general anaesthesia. Many anxious patients experience this form of treatment as a real turning point.   <\/p><h3><strong>Treatment under general anaesthesia<\/strong><\/h3><p>For severe dental phobias where even minor procedures aren\u2019t possible, some practices offer treatment under general anaesthesia in cooperation with an experienced anaesthetist. This is the most intensive option and not necessary for everyone, but for some it is the only way to have urgently needed treatment carried out. <\/p><h3><strong>Stop signal and transparency<\/strong><\/h3><p>A simple but effective tool: before treatment, you agree on a clear hand signal that means &#8220;please stop&#8221;. The dentist immediately pauses, puts instruments down, and allows time for a break. Simply knowing you can interrupt at any time significantly reduces the feeling of helplessness.  <\/p><h3><strong>Distraction during treatment<\/strong><\/h3><p>Headphones with your favourite music, screens on the ceiling, or guided breathing exercises help many people stay calmer during treatment. What helps varies from person to person. A conversation beforehand clarifies which option fits best.  <\/p><h2><strong>Practical tips: how to prepare for your appointment<\/strong><\/h2><p>In addition to what the practice offers, there are a few things you can do yourself to make the dental visit easier.<\/p><p><strong>Talk openly about your anxiety:<\/strong> Say directly when booking the appointment that you have dental anxiety. A good practice will be prepared for this, schedule more time, and make sure you don\u2019t have to sit in the waiting room for long. <\/p><p><strong>Bring someone with you:<\/strong> Knowing a trusted person is in the waiting room gives many anxious patients a sense of security. In some practices, the accompanying person may also be allowed into the treatment room. <\/p><p><strong>Choose your appointment time deliberately:<\/strong> Avoid stressful times of day. An appointment early in the morning, when the practice is still quiet, feels more relaxed for many people than one in the middle of the hustle and bustle. <\/p><p><strong>Use breathing exercises:<\/strong> Deep, slow breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces physical stress symptoms. Inhale for four seconds, hold briefly, exhale for six seconds. This also works in the dental chair.  <\/p><p><strong>Plan small steps:<\/strong> If you haven\u2019t been to the dentist in a long time, you don\u2019t have to catch up on everything at once. Start with an initial consultation-only appointment, then a short check-up, then continue step by step. Every positive experience makes the next step easier.  <\/p><h2><strong>Dental anxiety in children: intervene early<\/strong><\/h2><p>Children often develop dental anxiety through the behaviour and statements of the adults around them. Phrases like &#8220;It won\u2019t hurt&#8221; or &#8220;You don\u2019t need to be afraid&#8221; often draw attention to the fear in the first place. It\u2019s better to treat the dental visit as something neutral and normal.  <\/p><p>An early first visit where nothing is treated and the child simply gets to know the practice lays a good foundation. <a href=\"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/en\/healthy-teeth\/pediatric-dentistry\/\">Paediatric dentists<\/a> specialise in gently introducing children to the treatment situation and creating positive first experiences.<\/p><h2><strong>When dental anxiety becomes a phobia<\/strong><\/h2><p>There is a difference between dental anxiety and dental phobia. Dental anxiety describes an unpleasant feeling that most people can still manage. A true dental phobia exists when the fear is so strong that appointments are completely avoided for months or years, physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating occur at the mere thought of it, and the fear burdens everyday life.  <\/p><p>In these cases, cognitive behavioural therapy can be useful in addition to dental support. Studies show that around 70% of those affected can reduce or overcome their dental anxiety in the long term through psychotherapeutic methods. The costs are usually covered by statutory health insurance.  <\/p><h2><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h2><p>Dental anxiety is common, understandable, and above all, it can be overcome. The crucial first step is not to wait until pain forces you to act, but to seek a conversation early on. Modern treatment options\u2014from gentle anaesthesia and sedation to general anaesthesia\u2014give even severely affected anxious patients real options today.  <\/p><p>At mundum, we take dental anxiety seriously. Anyone who calls us or books an online <a href=\"https:\/\/mund-um.de\/en\/contact\/\">get-to-know-you appointment<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to have anything treated at the first visit. We listen first.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2408452 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2408452\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b><span lang=\"de\">Frequently asked questions about dental anxiety<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c788c9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c788c9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c810f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"8c810f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1471\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1471\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How many people have dental anxiety?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1471\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1471\"><p>Estimates suggest that around 10 million people in Germany have pronounced dental anxiety. Milder unease before a dental visit is even more common and, according to various studies, affects 60 to 80% of the population. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1472\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1472\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the difference between dental anxiety and dental phobia?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1472\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1472\"><p>Dental anxiety is an unpleasant feeling that most people can still overcome. Dental phobia is a clinically relevant anxiety disorder in which appointments are completely avoided for long periods of time and the fear impairs everyday life. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1473\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1473\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I ask for a break at the dentist?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1473\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1473\"><p>Yes, always. A good practice team agrees on a clear hand signal before treatment so that the treatment is stopped immediately. You are not at anyone\u2019s mercy\u2014you can stop at any time.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1474\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1474\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Is treatment under general anaesthesia possible at the dentist?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1474\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1474\"><p>Yes, in cooperation with an anaesthetist, that is possible. General anaesthesia is the most intensive option and not necessary for everyone, but for severely affected anxious patients it is a real way to receive necessary treatment. The costs are generally not covered by statutory health insurance.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1475\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1475\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What can I do myself to reduce anxiety?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1475\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1475\"><p>Talk openly about your anxiety, choose your appointment time deliberately, bring someone with you, use breathing exercises, and plan small steps. Every positive experience makes the next visit easier. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1476\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1476\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Does psychotherapy help with dental anxiety?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1476\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1476\"><p>For pronounced dental phobia, cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective option. Studies show success rates of around 70%. The costs are usually covered by statutory health insurance.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Around one in five people has dental anxiety. In Germany, that\u2019s an estimated 10 million people who associate the thought of a dental appointment with unease, a racing heart, or even real panic. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-teeth"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dental anxiety: what\u2019s behind it and how to overcome it<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dental anxiety affects millions of people. 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