Pediatric Dental Procedure-Related Pain Assessment Practices in A Rural Alaskan Health Care Organization: A Qualitative Study

Cameron L Randall; Ellen Zahlis; Donald L Chi

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Pediatric Dental Procedure-Related Pain Assessment Practices in A Rural Alaskan Health Care Organization: A Qualitative Study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Pediatric Dental Procedure-Related Pain Assessment Practices in A Rural Alaskan Health Care Organization: A Qualitative Study

Cameron L Randall, Ellen Zahlis and Donald L Chi

Pediatric dentistry, Vol.42(5), pp.350-353

09/15/2020

PMCID: PMC7586460

PMID: 33087218

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Abstract

Acute pain experienced during dental procedures can lead to distress, difficulty with behavior guidance, and dental fear/avoidance. The purpose of this study was to explore dental providers' perceptions of pediatric procedure-related pain and acute pain assessment practices. Fifteen dental providers (53 percent female; nine dentists, three dental therapists, three dental hygienists) currently/formerly employed by a single rural Alaskan health care organization were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Recorded interviews were transcribed, verified, and coded using inductive qualitative analytic methods. Six providers suggested that pediatric procedure-related pain is rarely encountered. Providers who reported encountering it rely on observation of body language, facial expression, behavior, crying, and verbalization to know whether a child is experiencing procedural pain. Even when available, only four interviewees reported using standardized pain scales. Dental providers have mixed perceptions about whether they encounter pediatric procedure-related pain. There is high variability in how providersassess procedural pain, and approaches often are nonstandardized.

Acute Pain - diagnosis

Acute Pain - etiology

Child

Female

Humans

Pain Measurement

Qualitative Research

Rural Population

Details

Title: Subtitle: Pediatric Dental Procedure-Related Pain Assessment Practices in A Rural Alaskan Health Care Organization: A Qualitative Study
Creators: Cameron L Randall
Ellen Zahlis - University of Washington
Donald L Chi - University of Washington
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Pediatric dentistry, Vol.42(5), pp.350-353
PMID: 33087218
PMCID: PMC7586460
NLM abbreviation: Pediatr Dent
ISSN: 0164-1263
eISSN: 1942-5473
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Grant note: K23 DE028906 / NIDCR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/15/2020
Academic Unit: Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984283562202771

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