Comparison of Spanish-Speaking Parental Understanding Using Two Alternative Consent Pathways

Area of Science:

• Dental Anesthesia
• Informed Consent
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for informed consent in pediatric dental procedures requiring general anesthesia (GA).
• Assessing comprehension among diverse linguistic groups, such as Spanish-speaking caregivers, is essential for ethical and safe healthcare practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the understanding of Spanish-speaking caregivers regarding general anesthesia (GA) for dental care.
• To compare two distinct consent-delivery pathways: interpreter-led versus video-based information.
• To assess caregiver comfort levels and comprehension of informed consent elements related to GA.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 78 parents of children with no prior GA experience.
• Participants were assigned to either an interpreter group or a video information group.
• Surveys were administered to evaluate comfort with GA and understanding of informed consent topics.

Main Results:

• High comprehension of GA risks was observed in both groups (89% interpreter, 90% video).
• A significant portion of families struggled with understanding the indications for GA (64% interpreter, 60% video).
• Overall, 97% of participants felt they sufficiently understood the GA information presented, with similar comfort levels between groups.

Conclusions:

• The consent pathways (interpreter vs. video) did not significantly differ in improving risk understanding or consent-related knowledge.
• Both methods appear viable for conveying information about general anesthesia to Spanish-speaking caregivers.
• Further strategies may be needed to enhance understanding of GA indications.