Experiences and Parents' Perceptions Regarding Dental Interventions Performed on Their Children: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the viewpoints of parents of children regarding dental interventions can enhance clinical practices and play a pivotal role in evaluating the acceptability of treatment recommendations.

AIM: To explore the experiences and perceptions of parents regarding minimally invasive dentistry and invasive dental interventions for caries prevention and management in their children.

DESIGN

A systematic search strategy was performed to identify qualitative studies that assessed the phenomenon of interest in October 2022, updated in April 2024. The studies' methodological quality was evaluated, and the final synthesised findings were graded (ConQual). Data were analysed using a meta-aggregative approach.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included. There were four synthesised key findings: family-centred care components identified in the dental attendance, aspects of interventions and settings that facilitated their acceptability, influence of oral health conversations and instructions on parents' behaviour, and barriers that persist. Confidence in the synthesised findings was rated as moderate-high. Parents mentioned aspects concerning the professionals, the impact of information on behavioural changes, the acceptability of dental interventions, expectations, criticisms and difficulties.

CONCLUSION

The dentist's attitude is a crucial aspect of parents' experience and can influence the acceptability of interventions and the change in behaviours related to oral health.