Increase in Parental Knowledge and Confidence Following Communication of Dental Imaging Risks versus Benefits

Abstract

Objective: To explore the role of parental education and communication of risks versus benefits of pediatric dental image on parents’ knowledge, comfort and confidence in allowing their children to receive the necessary imaging procedures. Methods: Parents of children <18 years of age were recruited during routine dental visits at the Boston University Pediatric Oral Health Care Center and Department of Dentistry at the Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Participants completed two brief questionnaires immediately before and after the educational intervention. A brief two-sided printed informational handout and a mobile application called Medical Imaging Risk (MIR) were used in the educational intervention for parental health education and communication of information on radiation risks. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 to compare pre-intervention and post-intervention responses of participants. Results: Among 213 parents, the majorities were mothers (83%), African American (55%), with MassHealth insurance (82%) and reported that their child/children have had previous dental radiographs (75%). A significant improvement in confidence of their knowledge on benefits and risks of dental imaging was observed following the educational intervention (p<0.001). Parents’ level of comfort in allowing the use of dental radiographs for their children significantly improved after the educational intervention (p<0.001). Parents preferred the printed handout (53%) only slightly more than the mobile application (47%). Conclusion: The results from our study suggest that a simple brief educational intervention that includes easy to understand materials can significantly improve parental level of knowledge and confidence towards pediatric dental imaging. Thus dental practitioners should aim to include risk-benefit dialogues as part of the routine dental care visit to improve communication and acceptance of pediatric imaging.