The Hollywood Effect: How Media Shapes Fear of Dentists

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.