Dental fear, anxiety and phobia: I. Definitions, prevalence and antecedents

The present paper deals with a first work of a series of studies about the current state of the art researches on fear, anxiety and phobia at boundary dental. In this first work definitions and development of such concepts are included. As well, prevalence and incidence of these dental disorders in different populations are also presented. Main consequences in buco-dental health care as mostly dental disorders showed in patienty with high levels of fear, anxiety and dental phobia. Antecedents, acquisition and onset variables are also review. Finally, those elements regarding with dental treatment which elicits a higher level of fear and anxiety are pointed out.