Sexual Abuse is Linked to Fear of Dentists and Dental Procedures

Anyone who is a survivor of sexual abuse, is likely aware that the trauma of the abuse can last a lifetime. Flashbacks of feelings or events can arise at any given moment for abuse survivors. Everyday activities can surge feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress. It is possible that survivors of abuse do not even connect the trigger of these feelings with the past abuse.

Studies show that sexual abuse occurrence is not rare. Statistics indicate that as often as 1 in 4 women have been abused. For males, the figures are as high as 1 in 7 men. Experts in this field of study feel that such data may be underreporting the abuse. Men, in particular, are less likely to report or discuss abuse.

Children who have suffered from abuse are shown to have trouble dealing with activities involving discomfort. Any circumstance that represents a loss of control, fear, helplessness, or even pain can be overwhelming and emotionally disturbing. For this reason, it is only logical to understand why abuse victims avoid such circumstances.

A visit to the dentist causes some degree of fear in about 80 percent of the population. Not all people who fear the dentist or dental procedures are victims of childhood abuse. Fear and anxiety can be caused by numerous factors.

What can be done to make a dental procedure more comfortable for someone who has suffered from abuse?

Many options are available to help reduce anxiety and fear related to dentists and dental procedures. Women, for example, will postpone a visit to the dentist's office for about three years. When a circumstance arises that clearly needs medical attention, the survivor will often schedule a visit. Knowing that the less frequent visits to the dentist will indicate poorer oral health, the victim may have feelings of shame.

Such feelings only accentuate the fear and anxiety experienced by the patient. When scheduling the appointment, ask for extra time during the visit. The added time will allow the patient and dentist time to discuss the anxiety. There is no need to disclose information about the past abuse if this feels uncomfortable, but speaking to your dentist about your fear will help.