A Pre-Adoption Assessment of a Collaborative Care Approach to Dental-Fear Treatment

With an estimated global prevalence rate of over 30%, dental fear is a ubiquitous public health phenomenon. Dental fear's adverse effects on patient oral health and quality of life are well established; the stresses and financial repercussions it can pose to providers are increasingly recognized. Although dental fear is highly treatable, a disseminable intervention that satisfies the needs of patients and dental care providers has yet to be realized.

We sought to understand allied dental professionals' experiences treating patients with dental fear and their impressions of, and receptivity to, a stepped-care approach, including perceived barriers and facilitators to its adoption.

Thirteen semi-structured focus groups comprising students in (a) current dental hygiene programs and (b) other dental programs, who had prior experience working as licensed dental hygienists or allied professionals (i.e., dental assistants, dental therapists, dental treatment coordinators; N = 49) were conducted. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed.

Participant responses supported the need for innovation in managing dental fear in practices, and supported hygienists as likely facilitators of any new behavioral approach. Overall, participants were receptive to the idea of a stepped-care treatment approach but identified several factors (e.g., accessibility, costs, treatment credibility) that would need to be addressed for its adoption by patients and dental professionals.

A stepped-care approach to dental fear treatment has promise to meet the needs of patients and dental professionals. Potential barriers and facilitators to adoption provide a roadmap for future intervention refinement and efficacy testing.