395 - Provider Confirmation Reduces Parental/Guardian Anxiety Prior to Oral Sedation Appointments

Provider Confirmation Reduces Parental/Guardian Anxiety Prior to Oral Sedation Appointments

Abstract

Purpose: Fear and anxiety regarding oral conscious sedation (OCS) for dental procedures is present in parents/guardians. The purpose of this study is to determine whether provider confirmations prior to oral sedation appointments can reduce parental/guardian anxiety.

Methods: Parents of pediatric patients scheduled for OCS at a pediatric dental residency clinic in Detroit, MI were surveyed via telephone by their child’s sedation provider prior to the child’s appointment. Parents were asked to rate their own fear and anxiety on 1-7 scales (1=low/none, 7=bigh). They were also given the opportunity to have questions and concerns regarding OCS addressed, and then asked to rate their anxiety a second time. Demographic characteristics of the parents were also obtained. A total of approximately 100 respondents are expected to participate; 8 pediatric dental residents will collect data. Data will be analyzed with paired t-tests before and after stratification on child’s age and medical complexity.

Results: Results are pending, but it is expected that fear and anxiety ratings will decrease after speaking with their child’s sedation provider prior to the appointment.

Conclusions: Provider confirmations can be a useful tool in the management of parental/guardian fear of oral conscious sedation. These results underscore the need to make time to address parent concerns and questions not only prior to case acceptance, but prior to the procedure as well.

Keywords: dental anxiety, oral sedation, pediatric dental treatment, practice patterns

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: