<unk>  refers to the<unk>  of dentistry and of receiving<unk>  care. A pathological form of this<unk>  (specific phobia) is variously called<unk>  phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, or<unk>  anxiety.
It is estimated that as many as 75% of US adults experiences some degree of<unk> , from mild to severe.  Approximately 5 to 10 percent of U.S. adults are considered to experience<unk>  phobia; that is, they are so<unk> ful of receiving<unk>  treatment that they avoid<unk>  care at all costs. Many<unk> ly<unk> ful people will only seek<unk>  care when they have a<unk>  emergency, such as a toothache or<unk>  abscess. People who are very<unk> ful of<unk>  care often experience a “cycle of avoidance,” in which they avoid<unk>  care due to<unk>  until they experience a<unk>  emergency requiring invasive treatment, which can reinforce their<unk>  of dentistry.
Women tend to report more<unk>  than men, and younger people tend to report being more<unk> ly<unk> ful than older individuals.  People tend to report being more<unk> ful of more invasive procedures, such as oral surgery, than they are of less invasive treatment, such a professional<unk>  cleanings, or prophylaxis.
Dental fear
Work aversion
Deafness
Anxiety
Sexual dysfunction
Sadness
Hair loss
Sexual obsessions