Patient Management
Liliana Popova, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Texas — Houston, Houston, TX
UTHealth
Houston, Texas, United States
Liliana Popova, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Texas — Houston, Houston, TX
UTHealth
Houston, Texas, United States
Antonio Cardenas, DDS, MS
UTHealth Houston
Mary-Kate Myrick, N/A
UTHealth Houston
Rachel Buechler, N/A
UTHealth Houston
Alice K. Pazmino, DDS, MSD, MBA
UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston
Muhammad Walji, MS, PhD
UTHealth Houston
Brett T. Chiquet, DDS, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Research
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
University of Texas School of Dentistry
Houston, Texas, United States
Brett T. Chiquet, DDS, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Research
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
University of Texas School of Dentistry
Houston, Texas, United States
Bhavani Acharya, DDS
Program Director
UT School of Dentistry at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States
Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess when and why certain pharmacologic behavior guidance techniques (pBGTs) are acceptable to parents.
Methods: English- and Spanish-speaking parents of children under 18yrs of age watched a video clip of one pBGT and were asked to rate their acceptance and what factors alter acceptability (child’s health, dental treatment needs, fear/anxiety, cooperation, and finances). Parents were also given an opportunity to provide safety concerns for the pBGT they scored. Statistical analysis with ANOVA completed; P < .05 were considered significant.
Results: One hundred sixty-seven parents participated in this study. Nitrous (n=50) was more acceptable as age increased (P=.002), in healthy children (P < 0.001), and as cost decreased (P=.01). Sedation (n=54) was more acceptable as age increased (P < .001), in health children (P < .001), in cooperative children (P=.04), and as cost decreased (P < .001). General anesthesia (n=63) was more acceptable as age increased (P=.001), in healthy children (P < .001), with more invasive treatment (P=.04), and as cost decreased (P < .001). For all three pBGTs, while some parents listed no safety concerns, others expressed concern for neurologic side effects. Race/ethnicity differences were observed based on pBGT acceptability and patient age, fear/anxiety, medical history, and parental education (P < .05). Previous exposure to a pBGT improved acceptability (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Acceptability of pBGTs vary based on multiple patient factors, including age, medical history, and cost, and parents are aware of potential neurologic side effects. Providers should be aware of potential concerns and able to provide up-to-date, culturally-sensitive responses to the utilization of pBGTs in their office.