Evaluation of preoperative parental anxiety of children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia

The study aims to assess the preoperative anxiety levels of parents based on demographic variables such as age, gender, and educational background, as well as to evaluate existing levels of concern and what individual actions they take or expect from us at the institutional level to alleviate these concerns. For this purpose, a survey and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered to parents of children who would undergo treatment under general anesthesia. A total of 130 parents participated in the study. The state anxiety score of participating parents was found to be 40.91±10.41, and the trait anxiety score was 41.18±9.28. When examining the relationship between state and trait anxiety scores, a statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found, indicating that they have a moderate level of anxiety (r=0.400, p=0.000; p<0.001). No relationship was found between age and educational background with state-trait anxiety scores (p>0.05). It was found that state and trait anxiety scores were statistically higher in female parents compared to male parents (respectively; p=0.002; p<0.01, p=0.012; p<0.01). Furthermore, parents who had previously experienced problems related to general anesthesia exhibited statistically significant and higher state anxiety scores compared to those who had not (p=0.045; p<0.05), although no significant relationship was found between trait anxiety scores (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship found between the state and trait anxiety levels of parents based on whether their children were systemically healthy or had previously undergone general anesthesia (p>0.05). Similarly, there was no statistically significant relationship found between whether parents had prior experience with general anesthesia, whether they received information from the doctor before the operation, their subjective anxiety levels after receiving information, and their state-trait anxiety scores (p>0.05). However, parents of children who were not systemically healthy had higher state and trait anxiety scores compared to those whose children were healthy. Similarly, parents who had undergone previous surgery with general anesthesia had higher state and trait anxiety scores compared to those who had not undergone surgery before. Additionally, parents who did not have information about general anesthesia had higher state and trait anxiety scores compared to those who had information about it. In light of the information obtained in the study, to minimize anxiety, families and children should be educated at every stage before surgery. Accordingly, educational materials such as informative booklets, brochures, and similar resources containing understandable explanations and recommendations regarding surgical interventions relevant to pediatric patients can be prepared and provided. Additionally, families should be encouraged to ask questions, and every question should be answered as comprehensively as possible. It should be remembered that reducing parental anxiety levels can also decrease the anxiety experienced by the child.