The Hollywood Effect: How Media Shapes Fear of Dentists
January 31, 2026

For many people, the idea of visiting the dentist brings up anxiety or even dread. While there are real reasons to be cautious, a lot of dental fear comes from how dentists are portrayed in movies, television, and media. From comically evil characters to dramatic horror scenes, Hollywood has a long history of making dental visits look painful or terrifying.
Understanding where these fears originate can help put them into perspective—and highlight how different modern dental care really is.
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