The University of Gothenburg has emerged as the world’s most productive institution in research on dental anxiety and dental phobia, according to a new bibliometric study analyzing over 1,500 scientific articles published between 1991 and 2024.
The study, published in the International Journal of Dentistry, highlights how the field has expanded from measuring the prevalence of dental fear to exploring psychological mechanisms, treatment methods, and long-term impacts on health and quality of life.
Researchers at Gothenburg have played a key role since the 1990s. Pioneers such as Magnus Hakeberg and Ulf Berggren helped establish dental anxiety as a recognized research area. Their work revealed the strong link between dental fear, avoidance of care, and poor oral health. Berggren also led the development of systematic psychological treatment models for patients with severe dental phobia, integrating efforts between psychologists and dentists.
Ulla Wide, psychologist and professor at the University of Gothenburg’s Institute of Odontology, said, “It is very rewarding to lead a research group that has focused on these issues for decades. Our close collaboration between odontology and psychology, in both research and clinical practice, has allowed our findings to directly improve patient care.”
Current research at Gothenburg focuses on early identification of dental anxiety, wider application of psychological treatments in routine dental care, and strategies to prevent anxiety development.