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.
Sorrell et al. (2026) studied this question.