title: Characteristics of patients attending for cognitive behavioural therapy at one UK specialist unit for dental phobia and outcomes of treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of routinely collected assessment and outcome data from 130 patients attending a single secondary service providing CBT for dental phobia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kani
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulou
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hare
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scambler
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: King's College London Dental Institute, Unit of Social &Behavioural Sciences, Population &Patient Health, Floor 18, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult