Abstract
Fear and anxiety are common responses to anticipated or actual dental treatment. This may range from slight feelings of unease during routine procedures, such as an injection or cavity preparation, to feelings of extreme anxiety long before treatment is happening. There is general agreement that anxiety constitutes a major problem for the dentist, and a barrier to optimal care for the patient, as one of the most significant consequences is avoidance of dental treatment. Common triggers include local anaesthetic injection and the dental drill. This paper uses the term anxiety to encompass both fear and anxiety and reviews current strategies for managing anxious people in the dental setting, with a focus on non-invasive operative techniques.