Understanding and mapping dental care fear to help kids and adults get better dental care
Official title: Developing an Ontology for Dental Care-Related Fear and Anxiety: Toward an Understanding of Problems in Dental Care Utilization
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11352566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly project aims to create a clear framework for dental fear and anxiety to improve access to and quality of dental care for people of all ages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,235 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE033978-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with dental fear or anxiety across age groups (children, adolescents, and adults) who experience difficulty attending dental appointments.
✕Less likely to help
People without dental fear or anxiety are unlikely to derive direct benefit from the ontology, though improved care pathways could still influence general practice.
What this research studies
This project from the University of Florida will work to define and organize the different kinds of fear and anxiety people feel about dental visits. By building an ontology—a structured language—researchers hope to connect what patients experience with how clinicians describe and treat DFA. The goal is to reduce avoidance of dental care and improve experiences across ages, from teens to adults. The work will involve collecting perspectives from patients and clinicians to create a shared understanding that can guide better care pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to more personalized, less stressful dental experiences and higher rates of regular dental visits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that clearer definitions and better communication about dental fear can improve patient engagement, but a standardized ontology in this area is not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duncan, William — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Duncan, William
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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.