Oral health and oral treatment needs in patients fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for dental phobia: Possible influence on the outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy

To describe oral health and oral treatment needs in a group of dental phobic patients (DSM-IV) and to explore possible relationships between these factors and changes in self-reported dental anxiety before and after phobia treatment.Forty patients (25 women) fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for specific phobia were included in the study. Mean age of the group was 34.9 years (range 19-60) and mean dental avoidance was 11.2 years (range 3-30 years). They were treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during either one session (3 h) or five sessions (1 h each). Oral health was evaluated by orthopantomogram and clinical examination. The outcome of the CBT was measured by the change in dental anxiety scores (DAS, DFS) and in positive and negative thoughts during a standardized dental behavior test from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up.Mean (SD) DMFT was 16.5 (5.8), range 3-26; DT was 6.6 (4.2). Mean number of teeth with dental treatment need (restorative, periodontal, extractions, etc.) was 9.6 (6.9), range 1-28. There were statistically significant correlations between number of decayed teeth and decrease in negative thoughts (r=-0.39, p=0.048) and maximum anxiety (r=-0.65, p=0.001). The total number of teeth with treatment need correlated with an increase in positive thoughts (r=0.60, p=0.001) and decrease in maximum anxiety (r=0.50, p=0.015).There are large variations in oral health and treatment needs among patients fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for dental phobia. Patients with the best dental health and lowest treatment needs experience the largest increase in positive cognitions during exposure to dental treatment at 1-year follow-up.