Just over a third (36%) of the UK population are reported to be moderately anxious of dental treatment with about 12% reporting extreme dental anxiety.  Dental anxiety is not just a UK problem but also a global one with figures varying around the world.

New to the Cochrane Library is a protocol of a review, which aims to determine the effects of hypnosis (with or without conscious sedation or prior to or following general anaesthesia) in reducing anxiety towards dental treatment.

Links

Potter C, Coulthard P, Brown R, Walsh T. Hypnosis for alleviation of anxiety in adults undergoing dental treatment (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD010688. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010688.