Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors

Merve Hayriye Kocaoglu; Akif Demirel; Yasemin Akçaalan; Ahmet Alper Büyüksalih

doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839

Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety is a challenge in pediatric dentistry, often compromising treatment outcomes and oral health. Procedural sedation offers therapeutic benefits, yet insufficient parental knowledge may hinder acceptance. This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and examine associated factors. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional, 25-item survey was conducted among 176 parents of children scheduled for dental treatment under sedation. The respondents completed questions related to sedation, demographic details, and attitudes towards preventive oral health measures. Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square tests with Monte Carlo simulation–based p-values, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: 90.9% of participants were mothers with a mean age of 35.4 years. Although 74.4% reported familiarity with dental sedation, only 54.5% was able to distinguish sedation from general anesthesia. Anxiety about sedation was prevalent among 65.9% of parents, and the most frequent concerns were about recovery and respiratory complications (47.7% and 35.2%, respectively). Lower anxiety, pain-free anesthesia experience, preservation of spontaneous breathing, and accurate anesthesia provider information were associated with higher education and income (p < 0.05). A statistically significant relationship was identified between higher-income households and the propensity of parents to report more correctly about sedation, toothbrushing practices (p=0.002), access to preventive services (p<0.001), and recognition of fluoride benefits. Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors influence the level of parental knowledge regarding pediatric dental sedation. To promote safer and more efficient pediatric dental treatment, targeted education and better access to preventive dentistry can lessen inequalities and increase awareness. Keywords:pediatric sedation, parental awareness, parental attitudes, pediatric dentistry, sociodemographic factors

Keywords

Supporting Institution

N/A

Ethical Statement

It is declared that during the preparation process of this study, scientific and ethical principles were followed and all the studies benefited are stated in the bibliography.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Paedodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Merve Hayriye Kocaoglu ^*
0000-0002-2259-0131
Türkiye

Akif Demirel
0000-0002-1433-0452
Türkiye

Yasemin Akçaalan
0000-0003-0011-3489
Türkiye

Ahmet Alper Büyüksalih
0009-0009-9519-5317
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

October 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35HJ93CU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kocaoglu, M. H., Demirel, A., Akçaalan, Y., & Büyüksalih, A. A. (2025). Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors. Selcuk Dental Journal, 12(3), 429-437. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839

AMA

1.Kocaoglu MH, Demirel A, Akçaalan Y, Büyüksalih AA. Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12(3):429-437. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839

Chicago

Kocaoglu, Merve Hayriye, Akif Demirel, Yasemin Akçaalan, and Ahmet Alper Büyüksalih. 2025. “Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 (3): 429-37. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839.

EndNote

Kocaoglu MH, Demirel A, Akçaalan Y, Büyüksalih AA (December 1, 2025) Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 3 429–437.

IEEE

[1]M. H. Kocaoglu, A. Demirel, Y. Akçaalan, and A. A. Büyüksalih, “Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors”, Selcuk Dent J, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 429–437, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839.

ISNAD

Kocaoglu, Merve Hayriye - Demirel, Akif - Akçaalan, Yasemin - Büyüksalih, Ahmet Alper. “Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12/3 (December 1, 2025): 429-437. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839.

JAMA

1.Kocaoglu MH, Demirel A, Akçaalan Y, Büyüksalih AA. Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12:429–437.

MLA

Kocaoglu, Merve Hayriye, et al. “Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors”. Selcuk Dental Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 429-37, doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839.

Vancouver

1.Merve Hayriye Kocaoglu, Akif Demirel, Yasemin Akçaalan, Ahmet Alper Büyüksalih. Parental Perspectives on Pediatric Dental Sedation: Knowledge, Awareness, and Influencing Factors. Selcuk Dent J. 2025 Dec. 1;12(3):429-37. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1800839