Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Selcuk Dental Journal, cilt.12, sa.3, ss.429-437, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
Background: Dental anxiety is a challenge in pediatric dentistry, often compromising treatment outcomes and oral health. Procedural sedation offers therapeutic benefits, yet insufficient parental knowledge may hinder acceptance. This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and examine associated factors. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional, 25-item survey was conducted among 176 parents of children scheduled for dental treatment under sedation. The respondents completed questions related to sedation, demographic details, and attitudes towards preventive oral health measures. Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square tests with Monte Carlo simulation–based p-values, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: 90.9% of participants were mothers with a mean age of 35.4 years. Although 74.4% reported familiarity with dental sedation, only 54.5% was able to distinguish sedation from general anesthesia. Anxiety about sedation was prevalent among 65.9% of parents, and the most frequent concerns were about recovery and respiratory complications (47.7% and 35.2%, respectively). Lower anxiety, pain-free anesthesia experience, preservation of spontaneous breathing, and accurate anesthesia provider information were associated with higher education and income (p < 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was identified between higher-income households and the propensity of parents to report more correctly about sedation, toothbrushing practices (p = 0.002), access to preventive services (p < 0.001), and recognition of fluoride benefits. Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors influence the level of parental knowledge regarding pediatric dental sedation. To promote safer and more equitable paediatric dental care and better access to preventive dentistry can lessen inequalities and increase awareness.