Would you rather…?

The research, which was conducted by YouGov as part of the National Health Report 2015, found that a third (33 per cent) of those who have ever visited a dentist felt scared before a dental appointment. The possibility of having to have a procedure done polled as the top reason why people suffer from a phobia of dental care, with 31 per cent of those surveyed admitting this is what they were afraid of when visiting.

Almost a third (30 per cent) of surveyed UK adults said they would rather clean a toilet and 14 per cent admitted doing their tax returns would be more desirable than a visit to the dentist.

Among those who had ever visited a dentist, needles and injections were the second most off putting reason (30 per cent) and bad childhood memories of the dentist chair or not liking having medical treatments in their mouth was the joint third most popular reason, with just over one in five (22 per cent) of those surveyed admitting past experience has scared them about visiting the dentist. Thirty eight per cent of 25 to 34 year olds surveyed admitted to being scared of potentially having a procedure done – making it the most fearful age group when it comes to having work done.