Reframing Dental Anxiety: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Role in Phobia Treatment—A Narrative Review

Dental phobia is a disabling yet underdiagnosed condition that prevents many patients from seeking essential oral healthcare, leading to avoidable pain, disease progression, and reduced quality of life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most widely supported psychological intervention for specific phobias and has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing dental anxiety and avoidance. This narrative review synthesizes recent evidence on CBT applications for phobia management, with particular emphasis on dental settings. In addition to reviewing established mechanisms of CBT, this paper highlights emerging adjunctive approaches such as virtual reality, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and hypnosis. Special attention is given to pediatric populations, trauma-exposed individuals, and patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, who are often underrepresented in clinical research. The findings underscore the central role of CBT in addressing dental phobia while identifying gaps in standardized protocols, long-term outcomes, and accessibility across diverse healthcare contexts. Future research should prioritize controlled trials, cultural adaptations, and the integration of psychological training into dental curricula to enhance the translation of evidence into everyday practice.