Experiences of Children Undergoing Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia--Qualitative Study

Objectives: With the current move away from a disease-centered to a child-centered approach, an interest in involving children in all aspects of their medical care has emerged. This requires the healthcare providers listen to children’ opinions regarding illness, treatment, and health services. Dental treatment under general anesthesia (DTGA) is a common, yet problematic, approach for managing severe dental caries. This qualitative inquiry explored children and their caregivers’ experiences of having DTGA, with a focus on emotional and psychological impacts of DTGA.
Methods: Two semi-structured interviews, video diaries, drawings, and questionnaire were used to gain further understanding of patients’ experiences of DTGA as they move through stages of health, illness, treatment, and recovery.
Results: Preliminary findings from 8 children (mean age 6.4±2.4) and mothers (mean age 32.2±7.8) indicated that DTGA is a “scary” procedure from the perspectives of both the child and mother. Mothers wish they would not have to go that “hard route”. Children did not find the use of the ‘gas’ and ‘balloon’, instead of needles, as helpful but rather “stink” and “weird”. The feel of guilt and the hope to not go through the experience again fuelled the short-term compliance with brushing, flossing, and “cutting down on” the consumption of sugar and “junk” food. There was an appreciation of managing the whole child’s dental problem in a single setting, the humane nature of the surgical centre staff, and the short waiting time to get an appointment for the surgery.
Conclusions: As the study revealed that the DTGA is psychologically and emotionally troubling for both children and their mothers, it is imperative to explore ways to ease the GA experience. Children as young as 5 can meaningfully participate in their surgical care pathway, along with their caregivers and healthcare providers.