Treatment outcomes for specific subtypes of dental fear: preliminary clinical findings.
In order to examine the clinical treatment outcome for dental fears, we examined 111 active patient records retrospectively using an 80-item structured format. Subjects were from three fear subtypes: needle phobic (N = 15), gagger (N = 11), and non-specific dental fear (N = 85). Mean subtype Dental Fear Survey scores ranged from 72.3 to 81.0. Patients received either behavioral therapy alone (N = 85) or behavioral therapy with a nitrous oxide or IV sedation adjunct (N = 26). Mean psychological treatment time was 3.9 hours (SD = 2.8 h) and did not differ by fear subtype (p > 0.05). All patients successfully completed initial dental treatment. Relapse of fear requiring additional psychological treatment occurred only in the non-specific fear subtype (rate = 11.2%). Patients receiving pharmacologic adjuncts to behavior therapy (nitrous oxide) experienced less relapse.
Enneking
D
D
Dental Fears Research Clinic, University of Washington, School of Dentistry, Seattle.
Milgrom
P
P
Weinstein
P
P
Getz
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005683:Gagging; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009609:Nitrous Oxide