Dental anxiety treatment by a dentist in primary care: A 1‐year follow‐up study

• Published in: European journal of oral sciences Vol. 130; no. 4; pp. e12872 - n/a
• Main Authors: Hauge, Mariann Saanum, Stora, Bent, Willumsen, Tiril
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Accessibility; Anxiety; Best practice; Cognitive ability; cognitive behavioural therapy; Dentistry; Dentists; Habits; Health care; health communication; Midazolam; Patients; Primary care; randomized controlled trial; health communication; midazolam; cognitive behavioural therapy; randomized controlled trial
• ISSN: 0909-8836; 1600-0722
• DOI: 10.1111/eos.12872

In an earlier randomized controlled trial of dental anxiety treatments (n = 96) we compared the effects of dentist‐administered cognitive behavioural therapy (D‐CBT) and dental treatment supplemented with the Four Habits communication model plus midazolam sedation. Both treatments, applied in a general dental practice, were associated with a clinically relevant decrease in dental anxiety. In this follow‐up study, 52 of the 82 treatment completers responded to an online questionnaire 1 year post‐treatment. Reduction in dental anxiety persisted for both treatment groups. From baseline to 1 year post‐treatment the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was reduced by 7.8 [SD: 4.4; Cohen's d effect size: 1.2 (CI: 0.8–1.7)] and 7.8 [SD: 4.2; Cohen's d: 1.4 (0.9–1.8)] in the D‐CBT and Four Habits/midazolam groups, respectively. Most patients (74% for D‐CBT, 80% for Four Habits/midazolam) continued with dental treatment. Nine patients in the D‐CBT and seven in the Four Habits/midazolam groups received additional CBT treatment from a psychologist/dentist team. Both methods tested should be accessible to interested dentists who receive adequate training. Effective first‐line treatments for dental anxiety in general dental practice can generate more accessible care pathways for patients with dental anxiety. Evidence‐based dental anxiety treatment programmes should be included in the dental curriculum and established as best practice for dentists.