Dental Fear Combatting App Shows Promise in CBT Trials

Trials of a novel smartphone application, Dental Fearless, have demonstrated its potential in addressing dental fear through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles. Developed collaboratively by the NYU College of Dentistry and Penn School of Dental Medicine, Dental Fearless employs the active ingredients of CBT and mindfulness in a series of interactive exercises designed to alleviate dental anxiety.

In a pilot study involving 48 participants exhibiting moderate to severe dental fear, individuals tested the app prior to their scheduled dental appointments. Notably, half of the participants (49%) reported a significant reduction in fear, with 97% expressing an enhanced ability to manage discomfort during their visits. Moreover, a substantial majority (85%) reported that their dental appointments exceeded their expectations.

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Breaking the Cycle of Fear: The Role of CBT

Richard Heyman, a clinical psychologist and lead researcher behind Dental Fearless, highlighted the limitations of traditional approaches to dental fear management, such as reliance on anti-anxiety medications and sedatives. Heyman emphasized the potential of CBT in disrupting the cycle of fear perpetuated by avoidance behaviors and subsequent dental complications.

Heyman remarked, “Receiving sedation or anti-anxiety medication can signal to a fearful patient that they can’t handle seeing the dentist without this help, which perpetuates the cycle of fear, avoiding the dentist, and then having more serious problems to address.”

Features and Functionality of Dental Fearless

Dental Fearless employs a multifaceted approach to address dental fear, guiding users through educational materials and coping strategies tailored for dental visits. These strategies include breath work, muscle relaxation techniques, communication skills enhancement, and cognitive restructuring to challenge negative thoughts. Additionally, users have the opportunity to practice these skills and develop personalized action plans for their upcoming dental appointments.

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For individuals still experiencing fear despite completing the app, Dental Fearless offers the option of participating in a one-hour Zoom session with a mental health practitioner. These sessions are customized to address individual needs and may include simulated visits to the dentist.

Addressing Accessibility and Affordability

The developers underscored the rarity of CBT integration into dental practice, often due to financial or logistical constraints. Dental Fearless seeks to overcome these barriers by providing therapy in an accessible and cost-effective format directly from users’ homes.

Kelly Daly, project director, remarked, “For an intervention that only takes one or two hours and can be done from home, it was remarkable to see that fully half of the participants in the pilot study were no longer afraid of going to the dentist.”

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Future Directions: National Study and Virtual Reality Integration

Following the promising outcomes of the pilot study, Dental Fearless will undergo further evaluation in a larger national study. Additionally, researchers aim to explore the potential integration of virtual reality as a supplementary component to the app. Ultimately, the team envisions developing a comprehensive toolkit that private dental practices can adopt to address dental fear among their patient populations.

Mark Wolff, dean of the Penn School of Dental Medicine and principal investigator, emphasized the critical role of fear management in improving oral health outcomes. He stated, “Learning to manage one’s fear of dental care and the dentist is the only answer to improving oral health.”

Dental Fearless represents a promising innovation in the realm of dental anxiety management, offering hope for enhanced oral health outcomes and improved patient experiences.