Question: Clare - How has/will your research be used to benefit people?

Caitlin Sorrell answered on 29 Nov 2021:

Sorry for the delay in answering @OllyS! Currently people who live with dental anxiety often avoid going to the dentist. This means that their oral health can deteriorate, which can impact their general physical health. People with dental anxiety also report that their self-esteem is affected by the condition, that they experience shame and stigma and that their relationships are often affected.
So, if we can find a cheap and easily accessible way of reducing dental anxiety and enabling people to overcome their fear enough to attend the dentist for treatment or even for preventative check-ups, then that could have a real positive impact on people’s lives.
Then, if I tell you that 25-40% of the population is estimated to have some level of dental anxiety, I think that finding ways of helping people with dental anxiety will be really beneficial.