1. A qualitative analysis of caregiver perceptions of pediatric dental surgery under general anesthesia.
- Author
-
Lee, Helen H., LeHew, Charles W., Avenetti, David, Cory, Molly, Buscemi, Joanna, and Koerber, Anne
- Subjects
CAREGIVER attitudes ,RISK-taking behavior ,GENERAL anesthesia ,HEALTH services accessibility ,RESEARCH methodology ,MOTIVATION (Psychology) ,ORAL health ,INTERVIEWING ,BEHAVIOR therapy ,QUALITATIVE research ,ORAL surgery ,PSYCHOLOGY of caregivers ,HEALTH behavior ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,PEDIATRIC dentistry ,DENTAL caries ,ANXIETY ,THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
Background: Dental surgery under general anesthesia (GA) is a common treatment for severe childhood caries and thus may serve as an event to motivate behavior change. The frequency of recurrent caries, however, indicates opportunities within current practice to change a child's oral health behaviors. Aim: To assess caregiver experiences related to their child's dental surgery to inform development of a behavioral intervention. Design: Semi‐structured interviews with caregivers of children receiving GA for dental surgery. Transcripts (n = 19) were analyzed using qualitative thematic methods. Results: Children were 2–5 years of age, mean 3.8 years. Limited access to GA services was a source of caregiver frustration and a barrier to caries treatment. Surgical events elicited emotional reactions including guilt, anxiety, and a sense of caregiver accountability for development of severe caries. There was variation in caregiver awareness and/or motivation to change oral health behaviors. Conclusions: A child's dental surgery under GA is an emotionally challenging event yet may inspire hope and expectations for improvement. Surgery offers an opportunity to implement interventions at a time when caregivers may be open to assistance with behavior change, though stress and anxiety may create barriers. Behavioral interventions should be tailored to individual caregiver needs/barriers and stage of developmental readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF