Dentists often have to deal with nervous patients, even though people can benefit from the most modern technology and products to look after their oral health. A new survey by Space Dental has indicated the extent of the problem, Dentistry Magazine reports.

The survey revealed that 52 per cent of adults are scared of a visit to the dentist, with the most common reasons for this being the fear of pain (cited by 48 per cent), fear of drilling (41 per cent) and cost (37 per cent).

There were notable variations in age and geography when it came to dental fear. 63 per cent of 18-24 year olds were afraid of a dental visit, compared with 41 per cent of over-65s.

Southampton was revealed to be the city with the greatest dental fear, with 62 per cent afraid of the prospect, with Brighton and Hove and Newcastle just behind at 61 per cent.

Aberystwyth had the highest fear levels in Wales at 60 per cent, while the most dental-phobic city in Scotland was Glasgow at 59 per cent. In Northern Ireland, 54 per cent of Belfast residents were scared.

Other cities saw a much greater willingness to sit in the dentist’s chair. In Oxford and Liverpool only 40 per cent were afraid of going to the dentist, with Norwich next at 43 per cent. Cambridge and York were next at 46 per cent.

Therapist Gin Lalli said such fears “often stem from a fear of loss of control or past negative experiences. It can also be linked to the unpredictability of appointments or the fear of pain or embarrassment”.

Among the common pain-related fears is trypanophobia, a fear of needles. This is something that affects ten per cent of the population, something that might hold back some people from getting crucial dentistry work like fillings.