Shame is one of the quietest reasons people delay seeing a dentist.
A recent paper published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology described dental shame as “a pervasive but underexplored phenomenon” with important consequences for oral health.
The paper explains that dental shame can become a vicious circle. Shame can stop people seeking care, oral health can then deteriorate further, and the worsening condition can create even more shame.
We see this in practice too, even at the top end of dentistry.
When we ask patients why they have not visited for so long, so many immediately apologise. They say they did not know where to go. They felt embarrassed. They felt ashamed. They thought their teeth had gone too far. And as things became worse, the embarrassment became stronger.
That is THE trap.
Patients often delay coming in not because they do not care, but because they feel afraid of being judged.
But when you sit in our chair, we are not judging how you got here. We are looking at your health, your history, your options, and what can genuinely help you now at this point.
Dentistry should never make people feel small for the past. It should give people information, respect, choices, and a safe way forward.
Whether it has been 6 months, 6 years, or longer, the most important part is that you are here now.
And from there, we can start.
Reference: Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12808861/
In this video Dr Beeta explains more about ‘fear of shame’ of seeing a dentist.
