Estimated the prevalence and psychological etiology of dental anxiety (DA) and/or dental phobia among 425 Jordanian university students. Study data were collected using the Arabic version of the Dental Anxiety Inventory. The authors added 2 open questions related to etiology and visiting dentists. The results provide evidence that the Arabic version of the inventory has good reliability and validity. The results of the study show that half the study group did not suffer from DA (49.17%), while 27.5% suffered mild DA, and 20.9% moderate DOnly 2.3% suffered from severe dental phobiDA was more prevalent and severe among females than among males. Also, 44% of the students attributed the cause of DA to aversive experiences during childhood (dental care associated with pain), and 15% of students developed the symptoms through negative experiences by parents or older siblings. It is concluded that DA is a common and distressing problem among individuals of varying ages and sexes, and has a negative impact on the dentist-patient relationship and dentist visits. Actions are recommended to prevent and manage DA and dental phobia.