[Understanding dental anxiety better: an overview of possible causes]

Anxious behaviour in the oral healthcare is often called as dental anxiety or dental phobia . However, the terminology is more nuanced and such behaviour could also be a symptom of other anxiety problems. These might include anxiety disorders, such as a specific phobia, social anxiety disorder or panic disorder. But it may also involve other psychological disorders with pronounced anxiety characteristics, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and illness anxiety disorder. Finally, anxious behaviour can also stem from certain personality disorders (avoidant, dependent, compulsive). The characteristics of the most common anxiety-related disorders relevant to an oral healthcare practice are described. Pathological type of anxiety can complicate dental treatment and/or patient-dentist relationship, and lead to avoidance behaviour. It is therefore important for oral healthcare professionals to have a better understanding of the concept of anxiety , to be able to distinguish between mild/moderate anxiety and various pathological forms of anxiety, and refer to patients to differentiated care if necessary.