Preparatory information for third molar extraction: does preference for information and behavioral involvement matter?
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the present study were to: (1) evaluate the impact of high versus low information provision in terms of anxiety towards third molar extraction (TME) as well as satisfaction with information provision. (2) Investigate how preference for information and behavioral involvement, interacted with the provision of information in terms of satisfaction with information and anxiety related to TME.


METHODS
Psychology freshmen completed the Krantz Health Opinion Survey and questions concerning anxiety about TME (pretest). They were randomly allocated into 2 conditions and asked to read either high or low information concerning TME. A posttest questionnaire (anxiety items and evaluation of the information) was then completed.


RESULTS
Data for 320 subjects were analysed (mean age=20.3, S.D.=4.0, range 16-51 years). Individual differences in preference for information did not affect outcome variables. There was a clear effect for information condition. The high information text was rated as more informative, requiring less additional information, and led to higher satisfaction by all participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that more information is preferred, even when taking into account differences in preference for information and behavioral involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Although more work is needed within samples of actual TME patients, these preliminary findings may have important implications for information provision for this common procedure.
van Wijk
Arjen J
AJ
Department of Social Dentistry and Behavioural Sciences, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.vwijk@acta.nl
Buchanan
Heather
H
Coulson
Neil
N
Hoogstraten
Johan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D055815:Young Adult