194 - Impact of Audiovisual Aid on Parental Anxiety before General Anesthesia

Abstract:

Purpose: Parental anxiety before pediatric dental treatment under general anesthesia may negatively influence preoperative experiences for both patients and caregivers. This randomized controlled study evaluated the effect of a culturally adapted audiovisual aid on parental anxiety compared with standard written instructions.

Methods: Parents or legal guardians of children aged 2–18 years living in Puerto Rico and scheduled for elective dental treatment under general anesthesia were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received a 5-minute Spanish-language audiovisual aid describing the preoperative visit, day-of-surgery process, anesthesia induction, and recovery. The control group received standard written instructions. Parental anxiety was measured using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) at baseline and on the day of surgery. The primary outcome was the change in APAIS scores between time points.

Results: Thirty-four participants were enrolled (17 per group). Baseline APAIS scores were not significantly different between groups (p=0.175). On the day of surgery, the video group demonstrated significantly lower anxiety scores compared to the written group (15.12±3.59 vs. 18.76±3.73; p=0.009). The reduction in APAIS scores was significantly greater in the intervention group (9.00±4.72 vs. 2.76±4.71; p=0.001).

Conclusions: A culturally adapted audiovisual intervention significantly reduced parental anxiety before pediatric dental treatment under general anesthesia and may support standardized preoperative education in pediatric dental settings.

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Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dental Medicine and Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry