Generalization of effects of dental fear treatment in a self-referred population of odontophobics.

Effects of dental fear treatment on general anxiety and mood in 60 dental phobics with high and low general anxiety were compared with "attention" effects in 75 dental phobics on a waiting list using the Dental Anxiety Scale, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a modified Fear Survey Schedule. Positive effects of the treatment were apparent in reduced dental and general fearfulness as well as elevated mood on numerous measures that paralleled dentist ratings of patient behavior. Ss had less fear of going to the next dentist after the program than before, according to a visual analogue measure. Ninety-three percent of Ss started dental treatment with private dentists within 1 year.