odontophobic

comparative more odontophobic · superlative most odontophobic

1. Having an irrational fear of dentistry.

   Odontophobia is a rather unique phobia with special psychosomatic components that impact on the dental health of odontophobic persons.

   1990 January 28, R Moore, H Birn, “[Phenomenon of dental fear]”, in Tandlaegebladet, →PMID

   1 more example

   Clearly, some odontophobic patients have a perception of the dental environment as threatening beyond just the threat of physically painful treatment.

   2004 April 19, Rod Moore, Inger Brødsgaard & Nicole Rosenberg, “The contribution of embarrassment to phobic dental anxiety: a qualitative research study”, in BMC Psychiatry, volume 4, number 10, →DOI

plural odontophobics

1. One who fears dentistry.

   1 more example

   Odontophobics are normally inclined to continually postpone treatment, clinging to pharmacological therapies (antibiotics and/or painkillers) which, postponing the solution of the problem, produce a serious worsening of the initial picture with a progressive loss of mastication and a consequent aesthetic compromise [2].

   2019 October 8, Rosa De Stefano, “Psychological Factors in Dental Patient Care: Odontophobia”, in Medicina, →DOI