74 - Varied Experience, Surgical Performance Anxiety, and Stress in Pediatric Dentists

Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this prospective cohort study is to determine whether an increased amount of operative dental experience in treating children correlates to decreased measured physiological stress levels. The secondary aim of this study is to determine the associations between the level of dental operative experience, surgical performance anxiety and physiological stress. Lastly, the study will evaluate whether there is a difference in performance anxiety of the operator between performing dental procedures using nitrous oxide alone or oral minimal sedation. 

Methods: Twenty-one pediatric dental residents at Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, of the University of Southern California will be recruited. Measures of physiological stress will be recorded including blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before, during, and after the appointment using a MedWatch on the operator's non-dominant wrist. Additionally, a surgical performance anxiety survey is given to the participants to self-report their anxiety before, during, and after the appointment. 
Result: Data collection is ongoing, and data analysis is pending. 

Conclusion: We hypothesize that there may be a positive association between performance anxiety and/or stress and the perceptions of the task at hand before treatment, compared to during and after treatment. Additionally, we hypothesize that the more residents have experienced the less performance anxiety they will have. Further data collection is needed to evaluate the physiological stress during treatment using the MedWatch.

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