Abstract: Objective To study the therapeutic effect of exposure therapy on the patients with dental fear. Methods 63 cases of extraction treatment with dental fear, were divided into two groups in accordance with the medical ID card on the bottom: odd numbers were exposed therapy group, even numbers were control group. Questionnaire assessment was used to evaluate the degree of postoperative anxiety, degree of cooperation in operation, the fear scores of oral treatment after treatment and 91 days after the selfassessment. Results All of the 63 patients had good treatment. Compared with the control group, the total average dental fear scores were lower than those of control group after exposure, and self rating of oral treatment also decreased the fear scores. Conclusion The effect of exposure therapy for the treatment of patients with dental fear and the relief of postoperative anxiety is obvious and safe.

Key words: dental fear, exposure therapy, relaxation training