February, 1998
Past articles in the Journal of the American Dental Association stated that 10% of Americans are so highly anxious or nervous about receiving dental treatment that they avoid the dentist. Another 15% finish treatment so uncomfortable that they are unable to follow through with treatment.
According to the February issue of the American Dental Association News, a recent study in JADA concluded that 45 million Americans were very nervous or terrified about visiting the dentist and "23 million [patients are] avoiding dental care because of fear; and almost 23 million [would be] willing to go to the dentist more frequently if general anesthesia and conscious sedation were more readily available." It has been reported by the ADA that 70% of people with dental insurance still avoid dentists due to fear and anxiety.