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SAAD Digest
March 2024
Volume: 40
Issue: 1

Title: The effectiveness of dental nurse led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on the dentally anxious patient: a service evaluation
Author(s): K. Kauser, S. Naidu, R. Jaffery 

Abstract: 

Introduction
Dental Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (dental CBT) is a talking therapy for adults and children aimed to reduce a patient’s anxiety specifically related to dentistry. The Modified Dental Anxiety Score (MDAS) allows an objective measurement of the patient’s level of anxiety pre and post CBT.

Aims
The objective was to assess the effectiveness of the CBT service within Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) Community Dental Services (CDS). The aims were to assess the number of patients with a pre- and post-CBT MDAS recorded, the success of CBT and the anxiety management modalities used to facilitate treatment.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of internal CBT referrals between January 2018 to December 2022.

Results
135 referrals were identified. 56% had a pre-MDAS score, of these 85% were between 20 to 25, indicating high anxiety (>19). Post-CBT MDAS scores reduced to between 5 to 14 for 85% of patients (indicating low / moderate anxiety). After having CBT 45% of patients had dental treatment with local anaesthetic (LA) alone and 35% with inhalation sedation (IHS).

Conclusions
CBT is effective in the treatment of dental anxiety and therefore allows patients to receive treatment from their general dental practitioners (GDP) and step down from general anaesthetic (GA) / intravenous sedation (IVS).

If you have a query relating to this article please email: digest@saad.org.uk

Articles from Digest 40(1)

 Article title
 Page start
Page end
 Editorial
 2
 2
Peer reviewed papers
Remimazolam compared to midazolam for dental sedation: an umbrella review
 3
 8
A review of the awareness and use of airway assessment techniques in conscious sedation in dentistry
 9
 14
Improving safety and efficiency in special care dentistry through quality improvement of patient information in the Belfast Trust  
 15
 18
Patient experiences and outcomes following intravenous sedation in an oral surgery setting 
 19
 22
An investigation of bispectral index monitoring when providing intravenous sedation for adults with severe cognitive disability 
 23
 27
Are we providing an effective sedation service? An evaluation of a new conscious sedation service in primary special dental care 
 28
 32
An audit of the use of flumazenil for sedation within the Special Care Dentistry Department (CDS Cycle 7) and seven-year comparison 
 33
 36
Unsuccessful conscious sedation on patients with a learning disability and / or autism: a multi-site service evaluation
 37
 41
The effectiveness of dental nurse led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on the dentally anxious patient: a service evaluation
 42
 46
Case reports
Dental treatment for a 15-year-old patient with Nicolaides- Baraitser Syndrome, under intravenous sedation with midazolam: a case report
 47
49 
The use of inhalation sedation to manage delayed eruption of permanent teeth, hypodontia and caries in a child patient 
 50
53
Case report: A paediatric patient with molar incisor hypomineralisation and hypodontia, treated with inhalation and intravenous sedation for extractions of deciduous and permanent molars 
 54
 56
Opinion
 57
 59
Journal Scan
 60
 68
Essay prizes
Dexmedetomidine: pharmacology and use as a sedative agent 
 69
 76
Do children from more deprived backgrounds have a higher chance of becoming dentally anxious?
 77
 80
Symposium 2023
 81
 89
Profile
 90
90 
Forum  92 97