Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children With Dental Anxiety

Inclusion criteria

• The participant is between 8-15 years of age
• The patient and parents agree to participate in the research project
• A diagnosis of specific phobia (dental anxiety or intraoral needle phobia) can be established by a psychologist according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition. The internet parent version of Development and Well-Being Assessment (Dawba) and Kiddie Sads (phobic disorders supplement) are used.
• The patient and parents have sufficient language skills in Swedish to manage the treatment and questionnaires
• Have regularly access to computer and the internet
• Have the time, the possibility and motivation to work and practice with ICBT 3 hours each week in 12 weeks
• Parents agree to at least book three visits at the dentist during the 12 weeks treatment
• Parents agree to exposure for intraoral injection at the dentist even if the child does not need dental treatment but suffers from injection phobia

Exclusion criteria

• Full points on both child and parent versions of the picture guided behavioral approach test. A maximum score of 17 means that both the child and the parent assess that the child can manage the most challenging situations in dentistry
• A score of 31 or less on both children and parent version of CFSS-DS and do not fulfill criteria for intra-oral injection phobia
• Already have or according to DAWBA and/or telephone interview by psychologist likely to fulfill criteria for a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis
• Other psychiatric disorders such as severe depression, eating disorder or self harm behavior that need treatment prior to dentistry related specific phobia
• The participant is undergoing or has planned psychiatric/ psychological examination
• The participant has current/planed psychological treatments
• Stressful life experiences during the past 12 months, such as divorce in the family, somatic illness that parent or the psychologist see as an obstacle in the treatment
• Have received cognitive behavioral treatment for dental anxiety or needle phobia during the past three years