Abstract :
Background: General anesthesia (GA) and moderate sedation (MS) are key pharmacological modalities in pediatric dentistry for managing children with extensive dental needs or dental anxiety. Understanding caregiver factors influencing treatment modality choice is critical for informed, family-centered care. However, limited data exist from the Indian context.Aim: To evaluate caregiver-related and child-related factors influencing the choice between GA and MS for pediatric dental treatment in a tertiary dental care setting in Eastern India.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 caregivers of children aged 3–12 years requiring pharmacological behavior management. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing caregiver demographics, prior experiences, perceptions of GA and MS, and child clinical factors. Following standardized counseling, caregivers’ treatment choices were recorded. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.Results: Of 300 caregivers, 52% chose GA and 48% chose MS. Significant predictors of GA preference included perceived safety (OR 2.3, p=0.004), cost concerns (OR 1.8, p=0.001), prior negative dental experiences (OR 1.9, p=0.02), higher caregiver education (OR 1.6, p=0.03), and presence of special health care needs (OR 2.5, p=0.01).Conclusion: Caregiver decisions regarding GA vs MS are multifactorial. Targeted, family-centered counseling addressing perceptions of safety, cost, and prior experiences is essential to support informed decision-making.
Keyword :
General anesthesia, Moderate sedation, Pediatric dentistry, Caregiver decision-making, Dental anxiety, Family-centered care.