Phobia treatment more effective at younger age

A study found that dental phobia treatment works better on younger patients. Also, patients who received such treatment at an early stage were significantly more likely to go for dental examinations later on in life.

A research team at Oulu University Hospital in Finland revealed the findings after tracking 152 dental patients from 2006 to 2016. This research paper was published in the latest issue of the international academic journal ‘BMC Oral Health’.

The research team provided dental phobia treatment to patients in groups classified by age and gender.

The effects of dental phobia treatment on patient behavior was investigated by collecting and analyzing the number of dental check-ups, emergency visits, and cancellations of medical appointments over a 10-year follow-up period.

The studies revealed that dental phobia treatment is more effective at a younger age and leads to more regular dental checkups in the future.

Patients treated for dental phobia at a younger age (ages 2 to 10) had an average of 9 dental visits, compared to patients treated for dental phobia at an older age (ages 10 and older) with an average of 4 visits – 2.25 times higher. However, it was not directly related to emergency visits and cancellation of medical appointments.

Dental phobia is experienced by 23.9% of children and adolescents worldwide, and is particularly common in developed countries. It is known that preschoolers have more severe dental phobia.

“Contrary to the common belief that dental phobia will disappear as the child grows, it may not be resolved over time,” said the researchers in a statement.

“This helps not only patients but also medical staff, and can reduce dental costs in the long run.”