Abstract
The patient, a 22 years old man, came to us hoping to receive dental treatment under general anesthesia on account of his extreme dental treatment phobia.
The symptoms had been manifest since primary school. On the first medical examination day, the patient found it impossible to sit in a dental chair.
We diagnosed a severe dental treatment phobia from his symptoms. As a result of six hours of interviews, at the rate of two hours a day, we recognized the possibility to cure the patient of his symptoms.
Although a long period would be required, we decided to proceed with systematic desensitization.
In systematic desensitization, we utilize autogenic training for reciprocal inhibitation. In the early stage, we used desensitization by image, then in-vivo desensitization.
At the same time, we combined assertive response and modeling therapy.
As a consequence, we were able to successfully alleviate the dental treatment phobia itself, although a total treatment period of 11 months was required.
