Dental phobia is an intense fear of dental treatment that causes some people to avoid routine care for years. Dental anxiety is a lesser feeling of uneasiness about appointments. The document discusses evaluating patients' levels of anxiety using scales. It also provides strategies for treating phobic patients, such as using sedation, focusing on non-dental concerns, setting achievable treatment goals, and addressing fears of pain, failure and costs. Successfully treating highly anxious patients requires an empathetic approach and sometimes psychological support in addition to dental care.