A groundbreaking study by the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry will investigate whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help reduce the number of children who are afraid of the dentist.
About one in three children are afraid to go to the dentist, which leads to avoidance of visiting the dentist and, as a result, to poor oral health, increased toothache, dental infections and caries.
Now, a team of dentists and researchers led by the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry has received a £ 1.6 million grant to research a new CBT-based way to reduce dental anxiety.
The study, which will involve 600 children from 30 dental clinics and clinics across England and Wales, will investigate whether specially designed resources that are child-friendly, parent-friendly and dentist-friendly can provide complete dental treatment in-house instead of to send them to a hospital for specialized services under sedation or general anesthesia.
Principal Investigator Professor Zoe Marshman of the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry and Emeritus Public Health Consultant in Dental Health at the Sheffield Teachers' Hospital Foundation said:
“Dental anxiety is very common in children and can lead to poor oral health, frequent tooth decay and tooth extraction. Traditionally, dentists refer children to specialized clinics where they are treated under sedation or general anesthesia. This approach does not help them get rid of their fear, and they can continue to avoid the dentist all their lives. Therefore, we are in dire need of an effective way to help children who are overcome by fear when visiting the dentist. ”
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