Effects of Emotional Self-Regulation Strategies and Regular Desensitization on Anxiety and Fear of Adult Dental Patients: A Clinical Trial

Dental anxiety and fear are prevalent among adult patients, necessitating behavioral interventions. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization for alleviation of anxiety and fear of adult dental patients.  

This clinical trial study was conducted on 40 adult dental patients selected by purposeful sampling, who were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=20) received emotional self-regulation strategies, and group 2 (n=20) underwent regular desensitization. Data were collected using the Dental Fear Survey and Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAI). Group 1 patients participated in 8 sessions of emotional self-regulation, each lasting 1.30 hours, while group 2 were engaged in an 8-session regular desensitization program of the same duration. Data analysis was performed using t-test and paired t-test.

Both emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization significantly decreased the fear and anxiety of adult dental patients (P<0.01). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in the impact of emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization on fear and anxiety of dental patients (P>0.05).

Emotional self-regulation strategies and regular desensitization yield comparable effects on the anxiety and fear of adult dental patients.