There are a large number of people who don't seek dental care until they have a dental emergency. The emergency will disrupt their life, cause them undo stress and probably be very expensive.  Under these circumstances the treatment may not be "ideal".  There are several reasons people put off dental treatment but fear is one of the most common.  There are multiple causes of fear at the dental office so it is the responsibility of the health care providers to get to know the patient well enough to help them work through these issues.  By learning about the patient's fears in a non-judgmental way the dentist can tailor the treatment so the patient has an experience which inspires them to be more pro-active in their dental health. 

There are several ways to help the patient deal with their dental anxiety.  Sometimes all they need is someone to listen and be sensitive to their needs; others may need some form of sedation.  The key to overcoming this issue is to find a dental office which takes the time to get to know you and listens to your specific circumstances.