Children and Adolescents With Dental Anxiety - Randomized Controlled Study of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Children and Adolescents With Dental Anxiety - Randomized Controlled Study of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The purpose of this study is to determine whether cognitive behaviour therapy is effective in the treatment of children and adolescents with dental anxiety. Our hypothesis is that children and adolescents who have been offered CBT shows significant better performance on outcome measures compared with patients in control group who have received treatment as usual.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The patient and parents agree to participate in the research project
• A primary diagnosis of specific phobia (dental anxiety or needle phobia) can be established according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The diagnostic interview shows that other psychiatric or developmentally related diagnoses should be consider as the primary diagnosis
• The patient undergoing psychiatric examination and/or psychotherapy
• The patient has no dental treatment needs or the dental treatment needs are of an emergency nature.