A DENTAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR ANXIOUS PATIENTS

Objective To evaluate, qualitatively, a support group for dentally anx ious patients reluctant to visit the dentist and obtain dental care. D esign Semi-structured interviews by group discussion, face-to-face or telephone. Setting Community: primary health care centre. Subjects 14 (50%) of the members of the support group. Interventions 13 interviewe es were also monitored during a course of treatment following support group attendance. Main outcome measures Views of interviewees concerni ng dental attendance and dental care before, during and after attendan ce at the support group. Results Attendance at the group was a major f actor in dispelling fears and negative beliefs about dental care. The 13 interviewees whose progress was monitored through a subsequent cour se of treatment had a mean age of 43 years and had last attended for d ental care 9 years previously. Treatment lasted for a mean of 5.4 visi ts with few failed appointments. They showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in Corah dental anxiety scale score. Conclusions Attendance at the support group generated empathy between members and confidence to seek treatment. It increased trust in the dental team but tended to lead to dependence on the dentist group leader Wider availability of such groups could help to reduce dental anxiety in non-attending adult s and encourage treatment uptake.