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Self-reported efficacy of an online dental anxiety support group: a pilot study
Neil S Coulson1, Heather Buchanan
1Institute of Work, Health and Organisations, University of Nottingham, UK. neil.coulson@nottingham.ac.uk
Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the self-reported effectiveness of an existing online dental anxiety support group in terms of perceived level of anxiety since accessing the group.
Methods:
An online questionnaire was completed by 91 individuals who accessed the Dental Fear Central, an online support group bulletin board, during an 8-week period in 2005. Participants reported background demographic information, their own self-reported evaluation of the efficacy of the support group, as well as completing the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).
Results:
In total, 60% of the sample considered that the support group had 'somewhat' or 'greatly lessened' their anxiety. Overall MDAS scores were significantly lower in the 'greatly lessened' group.
Conclusions:
The results of this nonrandomised pilot study suggest some individuals retrospectively considered that, since accessing the online group, they experienced a reduction in dental anxiety. Future research should employ a randomised controlled design in order to determine the contribution of the online group to self-reported changes in dental anxiety over time.
