A Two-Step Mobile App and Telehealth Program to Treat Dental Fear in People 13 and Older

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a stepped-care approach to treat dental fear, comparing it to the usual methods dentists use to help patients manage their fear. This study focuses on a behavioral intervention delivered in two steps, aiming to reduce dental fear and improve oral health-related quality of life. Participants include individuals aged 13 and older who report moderate to severe dental fear. The intervention starts with Step 1, where participants use the Dental FearLess mobile app, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based tool that takes about one hour to complete. If participants still have moderate to severe dental fear after using the app, they proceed to Step 2, which is a one-hour one-on-one telehealth session with a mental health provider tailored to their individual dental fear. About 25% of participants will be in a control group receiving usual treatment without the intervention during the study period. Participants will be randomly assigned to study groups and followed for up to 15 to 21 months. During this time, researchers will collect self-reported measures of dental fear and oral health-related quality of life, as well as de-identified dental attendance records from dental practices. The study includes ongoing assessments of dental fear changes at post-treatment and follow-up periods, with the intervention offered free of charge at the end for control participants.

A Stepped Care Approach to Treating Dental Fear