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Patient Management

289 - Improving Adherence to NPO Guidelines Before Dental Surgery

Saturday, May 24, 2025
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Dorin Coffler, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Yale-New Haven Hospital
    Yale-New Haven Hospital
    New Haven, Connecticut, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • LD

    Lauren DiBenedetto, DDS, FAAPD, MPH

    Associate program director
    Yale-New Haven, New Haven, CT
    New Haven, Connecticut, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • MS

    Michael Sultan, DDS

    Program Director
    Yale-New Haven, New Haven, CT
    New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Improving Adherence to NPO Guidelines Before Dental Surgery

Coffler D, Mauger S, DiBenedetto L

This study evaluated the effectiveness of scripted instructions, delivered using the Teach-Back method, in improving compliance with nil per os (NPO) guidelines. All pediatric patients receiving dental care under general anesthesia at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 2024 were included (N=690). Caregivers of surgical patients were randomly assigned to receive scripted dietary instructions within 72 hours of surgery, utilizing the evidence-based Teach-Back method. Certified interpreters ensured clarity for non-English-speaking families. Over a 15-month period (January 2023-March 2025), NPO violations were tracked to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness. Additional factors, including patient age, sex, case order, insurance type, language, and special needs, were analyzed to explore potential influences on compliance. This study highlights the potential of the Teach-Back method to reduce NPO violations, enhance caregiver understanding, and minimize surgical cancellations.