Characteristics of patients attending for cognitive behavioural therapy at one UK specialist unit for dental phobia and outcomes of treatment
Abstract
Aim To describe the characteristics of patients attending a psychologist-led cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service for individuals with dental phobia and the outcomes of treatment.Method Analysis of routinely collected assessment and outcome data from 130 patients attending a single secondary service providing CBT for dental phobia.Findings The patients comprised 99 women and 31 men, with an average age of 39.9 years (SD 14.8). Approximately 77% of the patients scored at levels suggestive of dental phobia on the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Fear of dental injections and the dental drill were the most common high scoring items on the MDAS. Ninety four percent of patients reported one or more impacts of their mouth, teeth and gums on their life using the OHIP-14. A minority of patients had co-morbid psychological conditions - 36.9% had high levels of general anxiety and 12.3% had clinically significant levels of depression. Suicidal ideation was reported by 12% of patients and four (3%) reported recent intent to commit suicide. Of all patients referred 79% went on to have dental treatment without sedation and 6% had their dental treatment under sedation. The average number of CBT appointments required before a patient received dental treatment without sedation was five.Conclusions CBT offers an effective technique for helping dentally anxious patients receive treatment without sedation. Those interested in running such services should be cognizant of the moderately high level of co-morbid psychological conditions in this group.
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A previous study showed that 79% of adults with dental phobia accepted dental treatment without sedation.
“A previous study showed that 79% of adults with dental phobia, accepted dental treatment without sedation 11”
From Cognitive behaviour therapy for anxious paediatric dental patients: a systematic review. (2018) · cites this paper as [11]
CBT may allow the patient to be treated without sedation in the future, leading to a reduction in long-term health costs.
“since the intervention may allow the patient to be treated without sedation in the future, this can lead to a reduction in long-term health costs 11 .”
From Cognitive behaviour therapy for anxious paediatric dental patients: a systematic review. (2018) · cites this paper as [11]
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- Authors
- Kani, E., Asimakopoulou, K., Daly, B., Hare, J., Lewis, J., Scambler, S., Scott, S., & Newton, J. T.
- Affiliations
- Guy's Hospital (GB)
- Venue
- British Dental Journal
- Published
- 2015-11
- Volume
- 219
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 501-506
- ISSN
- 0007-0610 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5373
- OpenAlex
- W2244760022
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5
- FWCI
- 4.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- BDJ (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Discovery Research Portal (University of Dundee) (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Keywords
- dental phobia, cognitive behavioral therapy, dental anxiety, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, OHIP-14, psychological comorbidity, general anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, sedation avoidance, dental treatment, patient characteristics, treatment outcomes
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychological Tests, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dental Anxiety, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult
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