A CBT resource for young people with dental anxiety
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a guided self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy resource for the reduction of dental anxiety in young people aged 11-16 years
IRAS ID
124821
Contact name
Zoe Marshman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
Childhood dental anxiety is very common with 10-20% of children and young people reporting high levels of dental anxiety. It is not only distressing for the young person and their parents, with a negative impact on quality of life, but is also associated with poor oral health and a lifelong reliance on general anaesthetic or sedation provided by specialist dental services. Children and young people with dental anxiety therefore require additional clinical time and can be costly to treat in the long run.
The reduction of dental anxiety through the use of effective psychological techniques is, therefore, of high importance. Previous studies have shown that a talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), in the format of a self-help package with support from a trained professional, can be an effective treatment for anxiety and phobias. However, there is a lack of high quality research investigating the impact of CBT approaches when applied to young people’s dental anxiety. The aim of the project is to develop and determine the feasibility of evaluating a CBT resource for young people (aged 11-16 years) and their parents for the reduction of dental anxiety.
The project has two stages. The first stage involves interviews with young people and their parents/carers (15-20 families) about their thoughts and behaviours relating to dental anxiety. We propose to use their views in the development of the CBT resource. The second stage is a feasibility study of the developed resource. It will involve sending a questionnaire to 100 young people with dental anxiety to determine a profile of young people who could be helped by it, interviews with dentists and dental nurses (15-20 dental care professionals) on their perceptions of the resource, and interviews with young people and their parents/carers (about 15-20 families) asked to complete the developed resource.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0163
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion