Paediatric & MIH Study ✓ Peer reviewed

Negative memories of dental care during childhood and adolescence are strongly associated with dental anxiety in adulthood.

BMC oral health · Denoual C, Le Huerou A, Meuric V, Couatarmanach A · 2026-07-10

Negative childhood and adolescent dental memories were strongly linked to higher dental anxiety in adults, with those reporting negative experiences showing substantially increased odds of severe anxiety compared to those with neutral memories.

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