Analysis of parental factors and parent-child communication with pediatric patients referred for nitrous oxide administration in a rural community health center setting

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and quantify likeness and difference in parent response to anxiety scale, dental knowledge, parent-child communication, and parental dental history. The objective is to determine if relationships exist with these parameters and the need for analgesia and/or sedation in their children. Methods: A survey-based quality analysis was performed between June 2012 and May 2013 on 126 consecutive parents/guardians of children receiving nitrous oxide administration during dental care within CareSouth Carolina’s Division of Dental Medicine Pediatric Dental Clinic (CSCDM). Results: A total of 126 questionnaires were completed by the legal guardians of pediatric patients seen for dental care during the administration of nitrous oxide. The mean Corah’s Anxiety Scale score corresponds to moderate anxiety. The mean score for the dental knowledge quiz was 2.98±1.13 out of 5 (59.6%). The majority of parents responded that they discussed a previous dental visit with their child and 41.1% described that visit to their child with negative connotations. A total of 50% of parents reported having a bad dental experience. Conclusions: The results revealed a shared anxiety with dental care. Pediatric anxiety and fear of dental care is multifactorial and the parents have a significant role in its development. Parents of patients that required referral for a deeper form of sedation may have higher anxiety scores, lower dental knowledge scores, and be more likely to describe a previous dental visit as negative. The communication process between the child-patient and parent can include negative connotations. Keywords: Dentistry, behavior modification, public health, nitrous oxide, communication