GENETIC INVOLVEMENT IN DENTAL TREATMENT FEAR

Abstract

Being a global health concern, dental fear and anxiety is estimated to affect at least one in ten individuals all around the globe. Ensuing the vicious circle of dental fear comes detrimental outcomes in quality of life. Despite the wide range of knowledge concerning the environmental factors that contribute to the acquisition of dental fear and anxiety, the prevalence has not decreased, giving researchers the possibility to highlight other concomitant etiological factors. The possible hereditary or genetic component is most recently being explored, although facing tremendous dynamical elements to substantially delineate its role. The purpose of this review was to explore, reflect and call attention to the current knowledge of the genetic involvement of dental treatment fear and anxiety. Although findings mostly stress the relation between dental fear to other phenotypes giving rise to individual vulnerability, there are studies disclosing suggestive heritability rates for dental fear and anxiety.