Acta odontologica Scandinavica
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Acta Odontol. Scand. · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of cognitive therapy, applied relaxation and nitrous oxide sedation. A five-year follow-up study of patients treated for dental fear.
Five years after completing a controlled, randomized treatment trial comparing the effect of nitrous oxide sedation (NO), cognitive therapy (CT), and applied relaxation (AR), all 62 patients who had participated were invited to a follow-up questionnaire study. Forty-three responded. All participants had been to the dentist during the follow-up period. ⋯ Seven participants (3 from the NO group, 2 from the CT group, and 2 from the AR group) had CDAS scores above 14, indicating a recurrent or continual dental fear problem. The majority (81%) assessed the dental fear treatment received 5 years previously to have been useful for them. In conclusion, the favorable effects on dental fear and general psychological distress continued at 5-year follow-up for all treatment groups.