Navigating dental care can be daunting for many, not because of the procedures themselves, but due to the deep-rooted fear of visiting the dentist. For some, even the thought of a dental appointment triggers anxiety or unease, making oral health seem like a challenge to overcome.
To find out how fearful the UK is of visiting the dentist, we surveyed 2,000 people from across the country, gathering insights on who experiences dental anxiety the most—whether by region, gender, or age—and what exactly drives their anxiety. From the fear of pain and drilling to concerns over cost, our survey uncovers the key triggers behind dental fear.
Delving deeper into the psychological roots of dental anxiety, we also spoke to a well-known solution-focused psychotherapist, exploring common reasons people fear the dentist, how patients can mentally prepare before their visit, and effective techniques to manage fear during procedures.
- Over half of Brits fear the dentist
- Breaking down fear by location
- Reasons why Brits struggle with dental fear
- What does this mean for the future of cosmetic dentistry?
- Understanding and minimising dental fear and anxiety
Over half of Brits fear the dentist
It turns out that the nation is almost evenly split when it comes to dental fear. Our survey results showed that 52% of people fear a lot or somewhat fear the dentist, suggesting that a significant portion of the population is avoiding dental care which can lead to serious damage to oral health.
It’s perhaps surprising that younger people have the biggest fear, with only 37% of those aged 18-24 advising they do not fear the dentist. This percentage rises to 43% for those aged 25-34 and continues to increase, with 59% of people aged 65 and over not fearing the dentist, the highest of any age group.
This trend could have serious implications for the oral health of younger generations. With a significant portion of 18-24-year-olds avoiding dental visits due to fear, they may be neglecting routine care, leading to more complex and serious dental issues as they get older. This reluctance to seek preventative treatment could result in an increased need for restorative or corrective work later in life, resulting in a growing demand for cosmetic dentistry among younger age groups as they age, and seek to correct issues that could have been addressed earlier with regular care.
| Age | % that fear | % that do not fear |
| 18 – 24 | 63% | 37% |
| 25 – 34 | 57% | 43% |
| 35 – 44 | 54% | 46% |
| 45 – 54 | 48% | 52% |
| 55 – 64 | 55% | 45% |
| 65 and over | 41% | 59% |
The data reveals that women are more likely to experience dental fear, with 56% of women reporting anxiety about visiting the dentist compared to 47% of men. This higher level of anxiety among women and the likelihood of dental care neglect mirrors findings in the cosmetic surgery field, where women are significantly more likely to pursue aesthetic procedures. This connection suggests that as women become more conscious of their dental health and aesthetic needs, they may be more inclined to seek cosmetic dental treatments to address the effects of delayed care.
Breaking down the data by location, we identified the UK cities with the highest and lowest fear.
Southampton tops the list with almost two-thirds admitting to fearing the dentist. Newcastle comes next with 61%, followed by Brighton and Hove (61%) and Aberystwyth (60%).
At the other end of the scale, Oxford and Liverpool had the lowest dental fear with just 40% of residents scared of visiting the dentist. Cardiff had the second-lowest percentage of fear (42%), followed by Norwich (43%), York (46%) and Cambridge (46%). Aberdeen and Edinburgh also makes the top 10 list of cities with the highest fear of the dentist, with 57% of residents admitting anxiety.
Regionally, dental anxiety is similar across the UK, with some areas showing slightly higher levels of fear than others. The East Midlands tops the regional list, with 58% of residents admitting to fearing dental visits, followed closely by London and the North East, both at 56%. In contrast, the North West (47%), Yorkshire and the Humber (48%), and the East of England (46%) report lower levels of anxiety. Other regions fall somewhere in between, with the South East at 52%, the South West at 50%, and the West Midlands at 49%.
| Region | % that fear | % that do not fear |
| East Midlands | 58% | 42% |
| East of England | 46% | 54% |
| London | 56% | 44% |
| North East | 56% | 44% |
| North West | 47% | 53% |
| Northern Ireland | 54% | 46% |
| Scotland | 59% | 41% |
| South East | 52% | 48% |
| South West | 50% | 50% |
| Wales | 46% | 54% |
| West Midlands | 49% | 51% |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 48% | 52% |
Pain is the biggest reason Brits struggle with visiting the dentist, followed by drilling and cost
Our survey reveals that the primary concern for most people is pain, with 48% of respondents citing it as their biggest fear. This is followed closely by the fear of drilling (41%), while 37% of people are most anxious about the cost of treatment. Interestingly, fear of needles, bad past experiences, and fear of the unknown are also significant concerns, affecting 31%, 28%, and 24% of respondents, respectively.
Interestingly, in Glasgow, pain didn’t rank so high, with only 19% of residents advising pain was behind their fear of dentists. Instead, bad past experiences drove their fear (33%), followed by drilling (30%), needles (30%) and cost (26%).
As we move up through the age groups, the data shows that older individuals tend to worry more about the cost of dental care, suggesting that financial concerns grow with age.
Other contributing factors to dental fear include diagnosis anxiety (21%), gag reflex (18%), embarrassment (14%), and loss of control (10%). Additionally, though less common, factors like the smell of the dental clinic (10%), fear of anaesthesia (8%), family influence (3%), and media influence (2%) also play a role in shaping people’s fear of the dentist.
| Fear | Overall | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65 + |
| Pain | 48% | 38% | 39% | 53% | 51% | 58% | 46% |
| Drilling | 41% | 39% | 30% | 37% | 45% | 58% | 46% |
| Cost | 37% | 22% | 31% | 37% | 46% | 38% | 43% |
| Needles | 31% | 31% | 25% | 30% | 28% | 38% | 35% |
| Bad past experiences | 28% | 21% | 18% | 23% | 27% | 36% | 38% |
| Fear of the unknown | 24% | 31% | 22% | 27% | 21% | 22% | 21% |
| Diagnosis anxiety | 21% | 21% | 21% | 21% | 25% | 22% | 18% |
| Gag reflex | 18% | 17% | 12% | 20% | 19% | 20% | 18% |
| Embarrassment | 14% | 27% | 16% | 17% | 12% | 8% | 6% |
| Loss of control | 10% | 10% | 9% | 14% | 9% | 11% | 9% |
| Smells | 10% | 12% | 9% | 12% | 10% | 12% | 8% |
| Anaesthesia | 8% | 10% | 11% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 7% |
| Family influence | 3% | 8% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 1% | 0% |
| Media influence | 2% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
What does this mean for the future of cosmetic dentistry?
“These insights into dental fear point to potential shifts in the cosmetic dentistry landscape in the coming years. Cosmetic dentistry may become necessary for those who avoided early intervention due to fear. As younger generations continue to avoid routine dental care due to anxiety, they may face more serious oral health issues as they age, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or damaged teeth. This could lead to a growing demand for restorative treatments like implants, as individuals look to address the long-term consequences of delayed care.
“As we know, the growing influence of social media and the rise of “selfie culture” have heightened awareness around physical appearance, particularly smiles. This heightened awareness has led to self-consciousness, with individuals resorting to face-tuning apps or filters to hide perceived imperfections in their smiles. While these digital enhancements offer a quick fix for online appearances, they can also contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and greater dissatisfaction with real-life appearances. However, face-tuning or digital alterations can’t mask the long-term damage caused by untreated oral health issues.
“Over time, this avoidance can lead to more extensive treatments, such as root canals, crowns, implants, or corrective procedures, which may increase anxiety for already-nervous patients. We will see a rise in patients seeking more serious cosmetic treatments, not just for aesthetic reasons, but to address oral health concerns that have worsened over time. As dental professionals we will need to be more equipped to support these patients, focusing on strategies to alleviate dental fear and ensure they receive the care they need before problems become more severe. Offering psychological support and creating a more comfortable, stress-free environment will be essential in helping patients overcome their fear and engage in necessary treatments.”
Dr Affan, Co-founder and Clinical Director at Space Dental
Understanding and minimising dental fear and anxiety
Dental anxiety is a widespread issue, with over half of the UK population expressing some level of fear about visiting the dentist. Our survey uncovered that this fear varies by age, gender, and region, but its psychological roots remain consistent. To shed light on why so many people experience this anxiety, we spoke to Gin Lalli, Solution-Focused Therapist, author of How to Empty Your Stress Bucket and host of the podcast Stress Bucket Solutions, who explained the underlying factors contributing to dental fear.
Common psychological reasons behind dental anxiety often stem from a fear of loss of control and past negative experiences, according to Gin: “It can also be due to the unpredictability of the session/appointment or fear of pain or embarrassment.”
Past trauma can have a significant impact on dental fear, amplifying anxiety and causing patients to avoid care. However, this doesn’t mean the trauma has to define their future experiences. Gin explains, “The mind doesn’t know the difference between imagination and reality, so if you’ve relived a past trauma 100 times in your imagination, your mind thinks that event actually happened 101 times.” This constant reliving can trigger the fight-flight response, making future dental visits feel even more overwhelming.
Addressing this requires shifting focus away from past experiences and helping patients tap into their strengths. Gin adds, “In solution-focused therapy, the goal is to stop overthinking and prevent reliving the trauma, encouraging patients to build on their existing resources to move forward with confidence. By redirecting attention to their abilities and resilience, individuals can begin to break free from the cycle of fear and regain control over their dental experiences.
How can patients mentally prepare themselves before a dental visit?
For those who struggle with dental fear, mental preparation can make a significant difference in managing anxiety before an appointment. Shifting the focus from the procedure itself to the positive outcomes can help alleviate stress and create a more goal-oriented mindset. Gin explains, “In solution-focused work, we visualise how you’ll feel after the procedure, not focus on the actual procedure and the anxiety or stress around that. It’s about the goal, for example, will you feel healthier, more confident etc.”
“Small wins, like booking the appointment build momentum and calm the mind. We always focus on small wins in solution-focused work and make a big deal out of them; that’s what builds and then starts to create bigger, positive mindset shifts.”
What techniques do you recommend to manage fear during dental procedures?
Managing dental anxiety during a visit requires simple yet effective techniques to stay calm and focused. It’s essential to stay present and shift attention from fear to positive outcomes. Gin recommends several practical methods to help patients manage their anxiety:
- Controlled breathing to reduce tension.
- Focus on positive outcomes rather than the procedure itself.
- Communicate your fears with your dentist and ask them to explain outcomes without going into procedural details.
- Trust your dentist as the expert, and avoid overloading yourself with unnecessary information.
These techniques can help ease the mental burden of dental visits and foster a more positive experience. As the expert suggests, “Controlled breathing and anchoring thoughts on positive outcomes shift the focus away from fear.”
How can parents help children with dental fears?
With younger age groups showing the highest levels of dental fear, it’s crucial to address this anxiety early on to prevent long-term avoidance of dental care. Parents play a key role in shaping their children’s perceptions and can help them develop a more positive mindset when it comes to visiting the dentist.
By using encouraging language and offering small rewards for bravery, parents can reinforce confidence and reduce fear. As Gin suggests, “Highlight the positives, like what they did well, and how proud you are of them. It’s important to focus on what went right, as that’s what builds resilience.” This approach helps children associate dental visits with positive outcomes, fostering confidence and resilience from an early age.
How can we help at Space Dental?
We understand that dental anxiety is a deeply personal experience, and we’re committed to providing compassionate, patient-centred care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of dental fear. Our team is trained to help ease your concerns, whether by offering a calm and supportive environment, reassuringly explaining procedures, or working with you to manage any anxiety you may feel.
By offering modern, non-invasive techniques and taking a gentle approach, we aim to make every visit as comfortable as possible. At Space Dental, our goal is to help you overcome your fears, regain confidence in your oral health, and achieve the smile you deserve—without fear holding you back. Start your smile journey by booking a consultation or contact our friendly team for more information!
Methodology:
Survey of 2,000 UK adults was conducted in September 2024.
Dental fear was calculated by combining the number of respondents who answered ‘fear a lot’ or ‘somewhat fear’ when asked ‘How much, if at all, do you fear visiting the dentist?’.
Respondent pools for city-level data vary from 4 respondents to 305 respondents.
