Dental Sedation and General Anaesthesia in Manitoba: A Survey of Need, Demand, and Perceptions

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety is a major reason why patients seek sedation/general anaesthesia (SGA) for dental treatment. Objective: To investigate patients’ reported and perceived dental anxiety and provision of SGA services in Manitoba dental practices. Methods: A paper-based survey was distributed to Manitoba dentists registered to provide intravenous sedation and a sample of their patients. Results: 21 dentists (53% response) and 505 patients participated. Dentists overestimated patients’ dental anxiety (Dental Fear/Avoidance Scale, p = 0.01; Index Dental Anxiety/Fear, p = 0.02), and underestimated patient interest for SGA. Patients also reported a preference for SGA services (ie., 2.5-fold demand for restorations) more often than they received SGA services (ie., 11.1-fold increase for implant surgery.) Conclusion: Dentists overestimate their patients’ anxiety levels but underestimate their interest in SGA services. Use of validated dental anxiety scales would aid in more accurate assessment of patient anxiety, and better alignment with patients SGA needs and demands.