Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children With Dental Anxiety
Dental Anxiety
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Dental Anxiety focused on measuring Dental Fear, Dental Phobia, Internet based cognitive behavioral therapy, specific phobia, children and adolescents anxiety, Self Efficacy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- The participant is between 8-15 years of age
- The patient and parents agree to participate in the research project
- A diagnosis of specific phobia (dental anxiety or intraoral needle phobia) can be established by a psychologist according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition. The internet parent version of Development and Well-Being Assessment (Dawba) and Kiddie Sads (phobic disorders supplement) are used.
- The patient and parents have sufficient language skills in Swedish to manage the treatment and questionnaires
- Have regularly access to computer and the internet
- Have the time, the possibility and motivation to work and practice with ICBT 3 hours each week in 12 weeks
- Parents agree to at least book three visits at the dentist during the 12 weeks treatment
- Parents agree to exposure for intraoral injection at the dentist even if the child does not need dental treatment but suffers from injection phobia
Exclusion Criteria:
- Full points on both child and parent versions of the picture guided behavioral approach test. A maximum score of 17 means that both the child and the parent assess that the child can manage the most challenging situations in dentistry
- A score of 31 or less on both children and parent version of CFSS-DS and do not fulfill criteria for intra-oral injection phobia
- Already have or according to DAWBA and/or telephone interview by psychologist likely to fulfill criteria for a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis
- Other psychiatric disorders such as severe depression, eating disorder or self harm behavior that need treatment prior to dentistry related specific phobia
- The participant is undergoing or has planned psychiatric/ psychological examination
- The participant has current/planed psychological treatments
- Stressful life experiences during the past 12 months, such as divorce in the family, somatic illness that parent or the psychologist see as an obstacle in the treatment
- Have received cognitive behavioral treatment for dental anxiety or needle phobia during the past three years
Sites / Locations
- Department of Dental Medicine
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy
Wait list
The treatment program consists of 12 modules that are offered during 12 weeks on Internet. Modules consist of parental education, psycho-education for the children, exposure, cognitive restructuring and home exercises. A psychologist guides parents and children through the treatment with continuous contact using the message function on the Internet platform that is used.
Participants are not offered any active controlled psychological interventions but have free access to dental health services, which could involve exposure and other behavioral strategies applied by dental staff.