IADR Abstract Archives
Feasibility and Acceptability of an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Dental Anxiety: Preliminary Results
Objectives: Existing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions have demonstrated efficacy in reducing dental anxiety but have not been widely adopted in dental clinics due to barriers to dissemination. We developed a brief (single 1-hour session) online CBT intervention for dental anxiety that can be easily implemented in dental healthcare settings. The present pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the online CBT intervention when assisted by dental or psychology staff.
Methods: Eleven patients of a community dental clinic (7 women; Mage = 47.6, SD = 14.3) who were identified as having moderate or high dental anxiety on the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) participated in the study. All completed the intervention during the hour before a scheduled dental appointment, and 7 patients completed a one-month follow-up assessment. To assess changes in dental anxiety, participants were administered the MDAS prior to participating in the intervention and at one-month follow-up
Results: All participants were able to complete the intervention with minimal assistance. Three patients available for follow-up assessment demonstrated clinically significant reductions in their dental anxiety, with MDAS scores dropping from the high/moderate range to the low range. For three other participants, dental anxiety levels remained unchanged at follow-up. One participant demonstrated an increase (moderate to high). Minor differences were observed in patient outcomes between dental and psychology staff assisting the intervention. In debriefing interviews after the dental appointment, patients generally reported a positive experience. They reported that the intervention helped them remember to relax for the moment and breathe and assisted them in incorporating coping skills during the dental appointment
Conclusions: Findings from study support the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Implications for the dissemination of Internet-based dental anxiety interventions within dental healthcare settings and improvement of anxious patients’ access to dental care will be discussed.
Methods: Eleven patients of a community dental clinic (7 women; Mage = 47.6, SD = 14.3) who were identified as having moderate or high dental anxiety on the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) participated in the study. All completed the intervention during the hour before a scheduled dental appointment, and 7 patients completed a one-month follow-up assessment. To assess changes in dental anxiety, participants were administered the MDAS prior to participating in the intervention and at one-month follow-up
Results: All participants were able to complete the intervention with minimal assistance. Three patients available for follow-up assessment demonstrated clinically significant reductions in their dental anxiety, with MDAS scores dropping from the high/moderate range to the low range. For three other participants, dental anxiety levels remained unchanged at follow-up. One participant demonstrated an increase (moderate to high). Minor differences were observed in patient outcomes between dental and psychology staff assisting the intervention. In debriefing interviews after the dental appointment, patients generally reported a positive experience. They reported that the intervention helped them remember to relax for the moment and breathe and assisted them in incorporating coping skills during the dental appointment
Conclusions: Findings from study support the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Implications for the dissemination of Internet-based dental anxiety interventions within dental healthcare settings and improvement of anxious patients’ access to dental care will be discussed.