A randomized controlled trial of the effect of a brief cognitive‐behavioral intervention on dental fear
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: 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. Methods: Patients presenting with subjectively reported dental fear were randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention ( n = 53) or a waiting list ( n = 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. Results: Analysis of variance showed that dental fear was significantly reduced in the immediate intervention group ( d = 1.5‐2.2), compared with the waiting list group ( d = 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. Conclusions: 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.
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After both groups completed the brief CBT intervention, the reduction in anxiety was comparable and maintained at the two-year follow-up.
“After both groups completed the intervention, the reduction in anxiety were comparable and maintained at the twoyear follow-up [28].”
From Novel non-pharmacological strategies for managing dentophobia in adult patients - literature review (2024) · cites this paper as [28]
In a randomized controlled trial, the immediate treatment group experienced a significant reduction in dental anxiety compared to the waiting list condition.
“The findings showed that the immediate treatment group experienced a significant reduction in dental anxiety compared to the waiting list condition.”
From Novel non-pharmacological strategies for managing dentophobia in adult patients - literature review (2024) · cites this paper as [28]
Brief CBT interventions involving one to three sessions can reduce dental anxiety.
“The study highlights the potential effectiveness of brief CBT interventions, involving one to three sessions, in reducing dental anxiety.”
From Novel non-pharmacological strategies for managing dentophobia in adult patients - literature review (2024) · cites this paper as [28]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Kani, E., Asimakopoulou, K., Daly, B., Hare, J., Lewis, J., Scambler, S., Scott, S., & Newton, J. T. (2015) · British Dental Journal · doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.890 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Novel non-pharmacological strategies for managing dentophobia in adult patients - literature review
Los, A., Fiegler-Rudol, J., Tysiąc-Miśta, M., & Tanasiewicz, M. (2024) · Wiadomości Lekarskie · doi:10.36740/wlek202408112 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Spindler, H., Staugaard, S. R., Nicolaisen, C., & Poulsen, R.
- Affiliations
- Aarhus University (DK)
- Tandlægerne Hjelmensgade 2 Aarhus Denmark
- Corresponding author
- Spindler, Helle
- Venue
- Journal of Public Health Dentistry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-09-18
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 64-73
- ISSN
- 0022-4006 (ISSN-L)
- 1752-7325
- OpenAlex
- W1951527876
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2015: 4
- FWCI
- 3.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- pure.au.dk
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Public Health Dentistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Danish National Research Foundation
- Regional Health Cooperation in the Central Denmark Region
- 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 anxiety, cognitive-behavioral intervention, brief intervention, private dental practice, long-term follow-up, waitlist control
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Waiting Lists, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dental Anxiety, Treatment Outcome
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