A new way to help people overcome dental fear using a mobile app.
Official title: A Stepped-Care Approach to Treating Dental Fear: A Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trial For Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment via Mobile App and Evidence-Based Collaborative Care
Funded at New York University · NIH-10875364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful mobile app that uses simple techniques to ease dental fear for adults, making it easier for you to feel calm while waiting for your appointment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $773,929 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE029453-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults experiencing dental fear or anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience dental fear or anxiety may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a stepped-care approach to treating dental fear, which affects millions of adults. It utilizes a mobile app designed for self-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that patients can use in dental office waiting rooms. The approach starts with less intensive interventions and progresses to more intensive options only if necessary, making it adaptable for various dental practices. The goal is to integrate effective CBT into routine dental care to reduce anxiety and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce dental anxiety, leading to better dental health and improved quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective for treating dental fear, but this stepped-care model is a novel approach aimed at broader implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heyman, Richard Eliot — New York University
- Study coordinator: Heyman, Richard Eliot
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.