Table 1.

Examples of items from various questionnaires revealing possible dental psychological intrusion.

Study	Child/adult	Questionnaire	Item
Al-Namankany et al., 2012a	Child	The Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale	Do you feel shy at the dentist? Do you feel shy because of the way your teeth look? Are you worried about losing control at the dentist?
Welly et al., 2012	Child	Untitled questionnaire	I would feel better if the dentist doesn’t speak to me. My dentist treats me like a baby. That is comfortable. My dentist speaks with me too much.
Gale, 1972	Adult	Untitled questionnaire	Dentist laughs as he looks in your mouth.
Scott et al., 1984	Adult	Untitled questionnaire	To what extent have you felt reluctant about talking with your dentist(s) about your possible dental anxiety? To what extent have you been fearful of a reprimand from your dentist(s) due to your possible poor oral hygiene? To what extent have you been criticised by others for being anxious or afraid of dental treatment? To what extent have you felt ashamed of your dental fears and anxieties?
de Jongh and Stouthard, 1993	Adult	Untitled questionnaire re hygienist treatment	The dental hygienist not being nice. Remarks about poor oral hygiene.
de Jongh et al., 1995	Adult	Dental Cognitions Questionnaire	Dentists think you act childish. The dentist believes that I am a difficult patient and act childish. I should be ashamed of my teeth.
Moore and Brødsgaard, 1995	Adult	Semi-structured interview – themes	A feeling of powerlessness/embarrassment. The things dentists did or said that made things worse, e.g., condescending remarks/rejection Powerless/dominant dentist.
Milgrom et al., 1995	Adult	Dental Beliefs Survey	I believe dentists do/say things to withhold information from me. I feel uncomfortable asking questions. I am concerned that dentists will not take my worries (fears) about dentistry seriously. I am concerned that dentists will put me down (make light of my fears). I am concerned that dental personnel will embarrass me over the condition of my teeth. I am concerned that dentists do not like it when a patient makes a request.
Coolidge et al., 2005	Adult	Dental Beliefs Survey-Revised	I feel uncomfortable asking questions. I am concerned that dentists will not take my worries (fears) about dentistry seriously. I am concerned that dentists will put me down (make light of my fears). I am concerned that dental personnel will embarrass me over the condition of my teeth. Dental professionals say things to make me feel guilty about the way I care for my teeth. I am concerned that dentists do not like it when a patient makes a request. I believe that dentists don’t have enough empathy for what it is really like to be a patient.
Stouthard et al., 1995	Adult	Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAI)	I already feel uncomfortable at home when I think that the dentist will make a remark about my teeth. On my way to the dentist, I sweat or freeze at the thought that the dentist will say I brush my teeth badly. I feel uncertain when discussing the treatment of my teeth with the dentist. Before going to the dentist, I get palpitations when I think of how the dentist will be displeased at my teeth. When I am on my way to the dentist and think that she/he will say my teeth look bad, then I want to go home again. In the waiting room, I feel nervous at the thought that the dentist will say my teeth are badly brushed. I think about cancelling the appointment if I suspect the dentist will be displeased at my teeth.
Aartman and Hoogstraten, 1999	Adult	Social Attributes of Dental Anxiety Scale (SADAS)	I have arguments with friends, partner or parents about visiting a dentist. I feel that people put pressure on me to visit a dentist. I feel that no one shares my fears about visiting a dentist. I feel that people will laugh at me if I tell them of my fears of dentistry.
Abrahamsson et al., 2002	Adult	Unstructured Interviews – themes	Feelings of powerlessness (Total lack of control about what happens; The dentist has the power). Feelings of being deserted and vulnerable (feelings of shame for being childish or behaving badly). Unsupportive dentist (The dentist did not listen to my signals).
Locker, 2003	Adult	Psychosocial Consequences Scale	I feel foolish being afraid of dental treatment. I feel people will laugh if I tell them about my fears of dental treatment. I have arguments with friends, partner or family about not going to the dentist. People tell me my fears of dental treatment are childish or ridiculous. I get annoyed when people try to pressure me into having dental treatment.
Oosterink et al., 2008	Adult	67 Item Questionnaire	A remark made by the dentist Dentist’s manner.
Stenman et al., 2009	Adult	Unstructured interview themes	The need to be treated respectfully Feelings of control over the situation.
Armfield, 2010	Adult	IDAF-4C	To what extent are you anxious about the following things when you go to the dentist? Feeling embarrassed or ashamed Having an unsympathetic or unkind dentist.