[Series: Communication in the dental practice. Dealing with anxiety in the dental office]. / Serie: Communicatie in de tandartspraktijk. Omgaan met angst in de tandartspraktijk.

Dentists frequently have to deal with anxious children and adults. Whether these patients can be treated successfully in a regular dental office depends on the type of fear and its severity. Proper diagnostic procedures are therefore paramount. This article gives an overview of how dental fear develops, is sustained, and can be treated. It elaborates on the communication skills important in reducing anxiety and preventing children from developing dental fear.