Effects of Video Information on Parental Preoperative Anxiety Level and Their Perception of Conscious Sedation vs. General Anesthesia for the Dental Treatment of Their Young Child

Aim. To investigate the impact of video information on parental preoperative anxiety and perception and their preference of conscious sedation versus general anesthesia for the dental treatment of young patients.

Method/materials. Parents were given a verbal explanation regarding the two treatment options and were then asked to fill out a prescreening questionnaire. Their preference for mode of treatment was obtained and their preoperative anxiety level was measured on a visual analog scale (VAS). A video film depicting two children under going dental treatment with conscious sedation (CS) and a third child undergoing general anesthesia (GA) for dental treatment was shown to the parent. Following the viewing of the video film a post-screening questionnaire was given. Parents' post screening anxiety was measured and they were asked if their perception and preference of the two modes of treatment remained the same or changed.

Results. 40 parents were included and completed the trial. The prescreening anxiety level of parents was 2.79 (± 1.05, SD) and was not significantly different than the post screening anxiety level of 2.91 (± .99 SD, paired t- test p=0.432). The majority of parents preferred CS to GA for the treatment of their child prior to screening of the video. Among the few who chose GA (n=5) all but one changed their choice after viewing the video to CS. However, this difference was not found to be statistically significant due to the small number of subjects in this group (McNemar test, p = 0.125). Most parents voiced the opinion that the video film contributed to their knowledge and also considered GA as having more risks than CS. An interesting finding was that a statistically significant difference was found regarding parent's perception of the two procedures and what they actually saw in the video. The majority of parents stated that their initial perception of GA was not similar to their viewing experience, conversely, CS matched their expectations.

Conclusion. Parents' anxiety regarding their child's dental treatment under GA or CS is not affected by the viewing of a video film depicting either method. Parent's perception of GA is different than the actual procedure and may affect their choice of treatment.

General anesthesia, conscious sedation, children, dental treatment, anxiety

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