Preschool children and relative analgesia: satisfaction grading through a verbal questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess 100 preschool children's satisfaction grading of relative analgesia (RA) after completing dental treatment by collecting their opinion on this technique through a verbal questionnaire.


METHODS
After completing dental care a simple verbal questionnaire (3 questions) was administered by the operator. The questionnaire investigated: 1) patient's satisfaction about the sedation treatment; 2) patient's agreement to re-experiment the technique and 3) patient's emotions while sedated. Moreover, following treatment, each child was invited to make a drawing on the experience.


RESULTS
Data obtained were classified in 3 groups: group 1 (87% of children) appreciated RA and would agree to repeat the experience; group 2 (4% of the sample) did not answer the verbal questionnaire and group 3 (9%) did not enjoy the sedation technique. Only 15 children completed a drawing; conducting a psychological analysis through C.R. Rogers' theory of Person Centred Approach coupled with the handwriting analysis methodology defined by Girolamo Moretti, positive features were found in the majority of the drawings (13 out of 15).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority (87%) of the sample appreciated to experience nitrous oxide inhalation sedation and would undergo a further appointment under RA.
Arcari
S
S
Dental Surgery Unit, AUlss n 15 Regional Centre for the Study, Prevention and Treatment of Dental Diseases of Veneto Region, Italy. sara.arcari@libero.it
Ferro
R
R
D000698:Analgesia / Q000523:psychology*; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001154:Art; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000523:psychology*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003448:Crying; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen