Dental phobia, the fear of going to the dentist, significantly afflicts seven of 10 adults according to psychologist Tracy Getz, of the Dental Fears Clinic at the University of Washington, in Seattle. Another 13% to 20% of adults are "somewhat fearful" or "scared," Getz says, in a report by The New York Times syndicate.

Most of the fears result from a bad experience at the dentist, often in childhood, the report said. Factors in dental phobia include pain, embarrassment and claustrophobia, the report noted. The report said that improvements in anesthetics and dentists' skills in dealing with patient fears have helped many people overcome their phobias, and it suggested several behavioral tips to relieve anxiety:

• Use an intial appoinment just to talk to the doctor.
• If it makes you more comfortable, ask to have a dental hygientist or dental assistant present during treatment.
• Use deep breathing, muscle relaxation and guided imagery to calm and desensitize yourself.
• Make a few short visits instead of one long one.
• Have a pre-arranged signal with the doctor so you can stop work on your mouth.
• Have each step of the dental procedure explained.