Hypnosis for Dental Anxiety: A Review of 19 Trials
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Wolf TG, SchlƤppi S, Benz CI, Campus G. Brain Sciences, 2022. Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Summary
This review collected 19 clinical trials testing hypnosis for dental anxiety and phobia. Most were rated good quality.
Several trials found significant reductions in anxiety with hypnosis, while others found little difference. Because the studies used very different hypnosis techniques and anxiety measures, the authors could only pool five of them, and couldn't confirm a clear overall effect. They call for larger, more standardised trials.
Key finding
Many trials show hypnosis easing dental fear, but the evidence is still too varied to be conclusive.
Why this matters
We share the honest picture, not just the headlines. What the research does show is that results depend heavily on how hypnosis is done ā€” which is why approach matters.
Research is summarised in plain language for a general audience. Hypnotherapy and energy healing are complementary approaches and are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.