Which UK city has the most dental fear?

A new survey says that more than half of UK adults (52%) are afraid of dental visits, ranking UK cities based on their level of dental fear.

It found the highest levels of dental fear in Southampton, at 62% of respondents. Newcastle and Brighton and Hove followed closely with 61% each.

The top 10 UK cities for dental fear were:

At the other end of the scale, respondents from Oxford and Liverpool were found to have the lowest levels of dental fear, at 40%. They were followed by Norwich (43%), York (46%) and Cambridge (46%).

The most commonly cited reason for being afraid of the dentist was pain. Almost half (48%) of those surveyed said pain was their biggest fear. Other common reasons included fear of drilling (41%) and anxiety around the cost of treatment (37%).

Solution-focused therapist Gin Lalli said: ‘Common psychological reasons behind dental anxiety 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.’

The survey also found dental fear to be most common in younger people. In the 18-24 age group, only 37% of participants were not afraid of visiting the dentist. This figure rises to almost six in 10 (59%) in those aged 65 and over.

Managing dental fear

This data was collected through a survey of 2,000 UK adults by Space Dental. Affan Saghir, co-founder and clinical director of Space Dental, said: ‘Managing and minimising dental fear is crucial. Routine check-ups and preventive care ensure that cosmetic dentistry remains an option rather than a last resort. As awareness of aesthetics continues to grow, so does the importance of building positive, supportive dental experiences from the outset.

‘Dental professionals need to be better equipped to support those with dental fear, focusing on strategies to alleviate anxiety and ensure they receive care before problems become more severe. Offering psychological support and creating a comfortable, stress-free environment will be essential in helping patients overcome their fears and engage in necessary treatments.’

Gin Lalli also suggested some methods for reducing dental fear. She said: ‘It’s useful to focus on the outcome rather than the procedure itself. In solution-focused work, we visualise how you’ll feel after the treatment – healthier, more confident – shifting the focus away from the anxiety. Small wins, like simply booking the appointment, build momentum and help calm the mind, creating positive mindset shifts over time.

‘Techniques to manage fear include controlled breathing and anchoring thoughts on positive outcomes, staying present and visualising success beyond the procedure, having an open conversation with your dentist about your anxiety, and asking them to explain the results without going into unnecessary details about the procedure itself.’

Increased cosmetic procedures

Dr Saghir said that neglected oral health due to dental fear could lead to more cosmetic procedures in the future. He said: ‘The longer this anxiety persists, the more likely people will seek restorative and cosmetic procedures down the line, including implants, veneers or composite bonding.

‘We’re already seeing the influence of heightened awareness of appearance among the younger generation, driven largely by social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have created a culture of comparison, where having the “perfect smile” is a social currency, contributing to trends like “Turkey teeth”.

‘While cosmetic treatments can be transformative, they should be a choice – a rewarding upgrade, not an obligatory solution to untreated dental problems.’

As part of its research, Space Dental noted that Google searches for ‘cosmetic dentist’ have seen a 912% spike in the past month.

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