Dental Phobias: Related to Sounds of the Drill?

A study completed in Japan relates dental fears with the sound of dental equipment, not discomfort during dental procedures. The article, “Scared of the dentist? This why, say Neuroscientists” notes that “pain is quite rare in dental procedures” and patients’ anxiety and fears of the dentists are more related to noises from the drill and suction than actual discomfort.