When Dr. Anamaria Castillo, a board-certified periodontist, sees a new patient walk through her door after years or sometimes decades of avoiding care, she said the first thing she notices isn’t their teeth. It’s the look on their face. According to a 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, nearly 73% of U.S. adults report some level of dental fear, and that can sometimes scare people away from seeking help for even severe tooth and gum issues.
“Most people who have avoided the dentist for years come in bracing for criticism or bad news,” she said. “Before I even look in a patient’s mouth, I want them to feel heard and respected.”