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Dissertation
One-session exposure treatment for odontophobia
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
May 1997
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009722
Abstract
Persons with odontophobia, an extreme fear of and/or avoidance of dental procedures, experience high levels of distress when receiving dental care, and many avoid such care altogether, resulting in adverse effects on oral health. Various forms of behavior therapy have proven successful in the treatment of odontophobia, but these treatments are typically conducted over a period of several weeks to months. Some researchers have questioned the need for such elaborate treatments to achieve satisfactory treatment results. Lars-Goran Ost has developed a highly efficient and extremely cost effective method of treating specific phobias. The approach consists of in vivo exposure and therapist modeling, and is conducted in a single, prolonged treatment session. This procedure has been shown to be effective for a variety of specific phobias, but has not yet been applied to odontophobia. This study evaluates the efficacy of a one-session exposure based treatment for odontophobia, as an alternative to the more elaborate methods of treatment reviewed in the literature. Twenty-two self-referred subjects who were screened for appropriateness for this study received a one-session exposure therapy procedure. Subjects completed measures of dental and generalized anxiety, pre- and post-treatment. Subjects were also interviewed about their dental fear by an independent assessor. A physiological measure (pulse rate) was also included. A follow-up telephone interview was conducted three months post-treatment to assess whether or not subjects felt comfortable enough to seek dental treatment. As predicted, data revealed a significant decrease in dental anxiety from pre to post-treatment. Results also confirmed the hypothesis that treatment effects were specific to odontophobia; that is, generalized anxiety did not change significantly from pre to post-treatment. Also as predicted, the mean pulse rate change from initial presentation of stimulus to the post-exposure, following treatment, decreased significantly. In addition, the follow-up analysis revealed 62.5% of the subjects who were not making regular dental visits were able to go to the dentist post treatment. These results suggest that one-session exposure is an effective treatment for odontophobia. Limitations of this study and implications for future research are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- One-session exposure treatment for odontophobia
- Creators
- Nancy M. Gitin
- Awarding Institution
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 75 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998); Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; School of Health Professions (1996-1998)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888757504721