New Jersey Dental Assistant Highlights the Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions of Americans

NEWARK, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / December 30, 2025 / Dental assistant Asha Vaughn is raising her voice for an issue many overlook: the silent struggle of patient anxiety in dental offices. Drawing from years of experience chairside, Vaughn is advocating for increased awareness, better communication practices, and more compassionate care for patients who fear going to the dentist.

"People walk into the office scared every single day, and most of the time you can feel it before they even say a word," Vaughn says. "That fear holds people back from getting the care they need, and it adds up to serious health problems down the line."

A Growing Public Health Concern

Dental anxiety is far more common than many realize:

• 36% of Americans experience moderate dental fear, and 12% experience extreme dental anxiety, according to the Journal of Dental Hygiene.

• The American Dental Association reports that over 100 million U.S. adults skip dental visits each year.

• Avoiding dental care leads to increased risk of gum disease, tooth loss, heart disease, diabetes complications, and serious infections.

Vaughn says she sees this reality firsthand. "Some patients wait until they're in pain because they're too anxious to come sooner. By the time they do come in, the problem is much harder to fix."

Asha's Call for a More Supportive Approach

Growing up in New Jersey with a mother who was a teacher, Vaughn learned early about patience and empathy-traits she now carries into her profession.

"I treat every anxious patient the same way I'd want someone to treat my kids: calm, patient, and real," she says. "Trust is everything in this work. When people feel safe, they breathe easier. They open up. They get the care they deserve."

She believes small steps can create major change. Simple adjustments-like clearer communication, soft explanations during procedures, and taking a moment to ask how someone feels-can shift an entire appointment.

Understanding the Impact of Dental Avoidance

Poor oral health affects more than just the mouth:

• Gum disease is linked to heart disease, increasing cardiovascular risk by 20-30%, per the American Heart Association.

• Oral infections are one of the top reasons for emergency room visits, costing the U.S. more than $2 billion per year.

• Untreated dental issues disproportionately affect low-income families and single parents.

"People think skipping a cleaning is no big deal, but the long-term cost-financial and medical-is huge," Vaughn explains.
"Anxiety is real, but it shouldn't stop anyone from taking care of their health."

A Message of Advocacy Rooted in Faith and Service

As a Christian, mother, and healthcare worker, Vaughn approaches her advocacy with humility and purpose.

"I believe in helping people feel seen, not judged," she says. "A lot of dental anxiety comes from embarrassment or fear of pain. We can change that by being kinder and more present."

Her goal isn't to promote herself, but to empower communities to take ownership of their oral health through awareness, consistency, and courage.

Call to Action: What People Can Do Today

Vaughn encourages individuals and families to take simple, proactive steps to reduce dental anxiety and protect long-term health:

1. Talk openly about fear.

Let your dental team know if you feel nervous. "We can only help if we know what you're feeling," Vaughn says.

2. Schedule regular cleanings, not emergency visits.

Prevention is easier, cheaper, and far less painful than treatment.

3. Bring a support person if needed.

Sometimes having a familiar voice nearby helps calm nerves.

4. Practice slow breathing before and during appointments.

It lowers the heart rate and signals the brain to relax.

5. Choose a provider who listens.

"A good dental office sees you as a person first, not a number," Vaughn adds.

A Community Issue That Starts With Compassion

Vaughn hopes that by speaking out, more dental practices and patients will treat anxiety as a shared responsibility-not a personal flaw.

"Everyone deserves care, even on their hardest days," she says. "If we can make one person feel a little safer in that chair, that's real progress."

Media Contact:
Asha Vaughn
info@ashavaughn.com
www.ashavaughn.com

SOURCE: Asha Vaughn