BELENOPHOBIA IN DENTISTRY

Dental care causes in many patients, particularly in children, fear and anxiety, which can lead to rejection behaviors or hinder the dentist work. Some patients have phobias (from Greek Phóbos, meaning “fear” or “morbid fear”), i.e. a persistent fear of a situation or an object in which the patient commits to great length in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed. An abnormal fear of sharply pointed objects, especially needles, is called: Belonephobia. OBJECTIVE: To record information, experiences and types of dental instruments in relation to dental fear. METHODOLOGY. We collected data from 210 patients, who gave their voluntary verbal consent to answer questions related to dental fear. The information provided is confidential and the results are anonymous. Questions were selected in agreement with the professionals who carried out this survey. RESULTS: 210 patients, 131 females (62.38%), 79 males (62.38%). Age: 12-92 years old, mean 44.74% (standard deviation 13.99), women average 45.31 (standard deviation 14.21), male average 43.80% (standard deviation 13.66), nationality: Argentinean: 80.00%. Negative experiences: childhood 42.86%, teenage or adulthood 79.52%; having seen them 21.90%; listening, reading: family 51.43%, friends 50.96%, coworkers 38.10%, magazines 15.71%, movies 41.90%, internet 28.57%, television 89.05%. Fear to sharp objects in general 63.33%. Fear to needles 72.38%, dental explorer 49.05%, drills 51.90%, scalpel blades 49.05%, anesthesia administration 57.14%, dentist hurting them 62.86%. Interest to be informed 79.05%. CONCLUSION. To know other people’s experiences and identify dental instruments in relation to dental fear, especially needles, a phobia which is called belonephobia, may allow identify any factors hindering dental care. Helping patients to cope with their difficulties in relation to dental care will contribute to promote their health and their psychological and emotional development.