Online help for people with dental anxiety

Efficacy of an Internet-based intervention for dental anxiety

['FUNDING_U01'] · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · NIH-10458657

This study is looking at a helpful online program that can ease dental anxiety right before your appointment, and it wants to see if it's more effective when dental staff or trained psychologists guide you through it.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorTEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10458657 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates an Internet-based cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to help individuals manage dental anxiety before their appointments. Patients will receive a brief online program that they can complete in the hour leading up to their dental visit. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of this online intervention when facilitated by dental staff versus trained clinical psychology personnel. By evaluating patient responses and anxiety levels, the research seeks to determine the best approach for delivering this intervention in dental settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience significant anxiety related to dental appointments.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience dental anxiety or those who are not seeking dental care may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce dental anxiety for patients, making dental visits more manageable and less stressful.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for similar Internet-based cognitive-behavioral interventions in reducing anxiety, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anxiety Disorders

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.