A randomized controlled trial of the effect of a brief cognitive‐behavioral intervention on dental fear. (18th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spindler, Helle; Staugaard, Søren Risløv; Nicolaisen, Camilla; Poulsen, Rikka
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health dentistry. Volume 75:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2014-09-18
• Subjects: Dental public health -- Periodicals; 362.1976
• DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4006

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jphd12074-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a brief cognitive‐behavioral intervention for patients with dental fear in a private dental clinic.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphd12074-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Patients presenting with subjectively reported dental fear were randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention (<italic>n</italic> = 53) or a waiting list (<italic>n</italic> = 51) group. Both groups received an identical intervention, but delayed by 4‐6 weeks in the waiting list group. Participants were asked to fill out two self‐report questionnaires of dental fear at pre‐ and post‐intervention, and again at a 2‐year follow‐up assessment.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphd12074-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Analysis of variance showed that dental fear was significantly reduced in the immediate intervention group (<italic>d</italic> = 1.5‐2.2), compared with the waiting list group (<italic>d</italic> = 0.3‐0.4). Additionally, all participants showed a significant reduction of dental fear following the brief intervention, and in the subgroup available for follow‐up, this effect was maintained after 2 years.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphd12074-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This indicates that a brief cognitive‐behavioral intervention may be efficacious in helping a significant number of patients with dental fear return to regular dental treatment. Future research should investigate the applicability of a brief cognitive‐behavioral intervention in the dental clinic.</p> </sec> </abstract>