Dc. Matthews et al., Factors affecting patients' and potential patients' choices among anaesthetics for periodontal recall visits, J DENT, 29(3), 2001, pp. 173-179
Objectives: Dentinal hypersensitivity and recurrent disease may necessitate
the use of anaesthetic during periodontal recall visits. However, an avers
ion to injections may affect patient compliance. The objectives of this stu
dy were to determine choices patients and 'potential' patients make when pr
ovided with information on the risks and benefits of alternative anaestheti
c choices for root planing during periodontal recalls and to examine which
factors influence these choices.
Methods: Using an interactive computer tool, scenarios described the risks
and benefits of root planing during periodontal maintenance and the anaesth
etic alternatives (no anaesthetic, an experimental thermosetting gel anaest
hetic and traditional local infiltration anaesthesia). Compliant patients f
or whom anaesthesia was recommended during recall cleanings were recruited
from private periodontal practices (n = 97). General population subjects (p
otential patients) were recruited by random digit dialing (n = 196).
Results: As dental insurance was one of the inclusion criteria, the sample
was representative of a working population. Most subjects reported tooth se
nsitivity (recall 84.5%, general 59.9%). The majority of patients wanted so
me form of anaesthetic, either gel (recall 82.5%, general 81.0%) or local i
nfiltration (recall 10.3%, general 16.4%). Fifty-five percent of subjects r
eported moderate or severe pain from their previous dental injection(s). As
ked if they were to have a dental needle tomorrow, 52.5% would be somewhat
or very anxious. Of those who chose gel, 63.47% would be more or much more
willing to return for recall visits if the gel were available. Using multiv
ariate logistic regression, concern about pain and anxiety associated with
needles were the only statistically significant characteristics associated
with anaesthetic preference.
Conclusions: Concern about pain and anxiety associated with needles dominat
es preferences for dental anaesthesia. The overwhelming preference for a no
n-injectable anaesthetic reveals a strong clinical need for such alternativ
es. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.