Abstract
This mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) on the effects of engagement with a Dental Anxiety (DA) Online Support Group (OSG) in an adult population. The study aimed to recruit 38 adults with DA through social media within 3 months and assumed an attrition rate of 33%. Participants completed pre- and post-measures of DA and intention to attend routine dental care. They were randomised to a wait-list control or the OSG. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with OSG participants. Forty participants were recruited within 3 months and attrition was 7.5%. Most participants were positive about the OSG, although a small number did not find it valuable. The effect size for the measure of DA indicates a sample size of 72 for a fully powered RCT. An RCT is both feasible and appropriate to further understand the effect of OSGs on DA.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
