A London-based Hungarian florist could face dental restoration costs of up to $46,000 after letting his teeth deteriorate due to severe dentophobia.
Lajos Csendes, 31, avoided dental visits for years, leading to significant oral health issues, including facial bone deterioration. His teeth had been weak since his teens, sometimes breaking from biting into bread, the BBC reported.
Last year, he mistook a dental infection that had entered his bloodstream and neared his heart for a heart attack. The experience pushed him to seek treatment at a specialist clinic in Hungary that works with patients with dental phobia.
Csendes said he opted for treatment in Hungary because it is significantly cheaper than in the UK. The process, expected to take about two and a half years, will cost up to $46,000. He is fundraising to cover the expenses.
Dentophobia, or fear of dentists, is a common condition. A study from New York University found that 30 per cent of people fear going to the dentist, with more than 20 per cent reporting anxiety even after a recent appointment.
Some patients with severe dental anxiety undergo cognitive behavioural therapy to help them manage their fear and receive necessary treatment.
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