Parental Preference for Telehealth Post-Operative Visits Following Dental Rehabilitation With General Anesthesia

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Healthcare Management
• Telemedicine

Background:

• General anesthesia (GA) for dental caries is effective but costly, invasive, and associated with poor follow-up rates.
• Recurrent caries post-GA present a significant challenge in pediatric dental care.
• Telehealth offers a potential solution to overcome barriers to essential follow-up care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate parental preferences for telehealth versus in-person follow-up visits after pediatric dental caries treatment under GA.
• To identify factors influencing parental choices regarding visit modalities.
• To assess the potential of telehealth in improving follow-up care accessibility.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed parents of children (≤7 years) who underwent GA for dental caries.
• Data collected via telephone survey included demographics and modality preferences.
• Quantitative and thematic analyses were used to determine factors influencing preferences.

Main Results:

• Of 46 participating families, 84.8% preferred telehealth for follow-up visits.
• Key motivators for telehealth preference included flexibility and reduced travel burdens.
• Families preferring in-person visits cited direct provider interaction and technology concerns; they also lived farther from the clinic (104.2 km vs. 49.6 km).

Conclusions:

• A strong parental preference for telehealth indicates its potential to enhance follow-up visit accessibility.
• Addressing implementation barriers is crucial for equitable telehealth integration in pediatric dental care.
• Telehealth may mitigate challenges associated with geographical distance and caregiver responsibilities.