Childhood Stress Linked to Dental Anxiety in Teens
A study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has found that adolescents aged 13-17 who have experienced stressful or traumatic childhood events—such as abuse, violence, bullying, or parental divorce—are significantly more likely to suffer from dental fear. The research involved more than 5,800 young people, and the results show a clear trend: the more frequent or intense the stressful experiences, the greater the risk of dental anxiety.
Between 8 % and 20 % of children and adolescents in this age group meet the criteria for dental fear, meaning their anxiety is strong enough to significantly affect their willingness to visit the dentist or stay in the dental chair. The study specifically noticed that young people who have lived through divorce, abuse, violence, or being bullied are especially likely to avoid the dentist altogether or feel a strong urge to escape from dental settings when forced to be treated.
Psychology specialist Lena Myran, involved in the study, points out that dental treatment involves being in a physically vulnerable position, such as lying back, and being under the care of someone in authority—conditions which may be particularly difficult for people who have had insecure or traumatic childhoods. She also notes that although the association is strong, this is a cross-sectional study: it shows a connection, but doesn’t prove that childhood trauma causes dental fear.
Interestingly, the link between childhood stressful experiences and dental fear was stronger in girls than in boys. The authors suggest this may be related to higher rates of certain types of trauma (e.g. sexual abuse), anxiety, or depression among adolescent girls, but also emphasize that not all who experience such adversities develop dental fear, and many other factors (e.g. personality, previous dental experiences, support systems) likely play a role.
The authors of the study believe this finding has implications for dental care practices: awareness needs to be raised among dental healthcare providers about how childhood experiences can influence patient behavior during dental visits. Clinics may need to offer more trauma-informed care, more psychological safety, and better communication to help reduce fear in vulnerable youths.
Original Article Information
Title: Young people who experience divorce or abuse more likely to have dental fear
Published: 2 October 2025 — Dentistry.co.uk