Patients worried about emergency dentistry have been advised to get behind the upcoming National Smile Month.
Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) Dr Nigel Carter has urged patients who are afraid of dental procedures to show support for the campaign with the aim of gaining reassurance.
This comes after the recent BDHF Adult Dental Health Survey revealed half of adults display moderate to extreme dental anxiety.
Participants were asked to select what made them the most nervous from a list which included snakes, heights, doctors and going to the dentist.
The findings also revealed 30 per cent of people said that having a tooth drilled in procedures such as root canal treatment would make them extremely nervous.
Dr Carter said: "What may prove concerning is just how poorly the profession rates in comparison to doctors.
"The comparison with snakes and spiders may appear frivolous, but it does suggest we still have a lot of work to do to build public confidence."
Meanwhile, BUPA has advised people who suffer from dental anxiety to find a supportive dentist to guide them through treatment.