Phlebotomy for obtaining platelet-rich fibrin autograft in children for pediatric dental procedures: Parental views, understanding, and acceptance

Background The negative perception of parents toward invasive dental procedures has always created a barrier in delivering successful treatment to pediatric patients. Surprisingly, little is known about the perspective of parents and the impact of demographic and psychological factors guiding their decision. Aim To evaluate the acceptability of phlebotomy for obtaining platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to be used in pediatric endodontic procedures among parents of children. Design A cross-sectional study design was used for the survey. The design involved interviewing the parents of children aged 3 to 14 years, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were indicated for regenerative pulp therapy using PRF. Materials and Method The sample included one hundred and fifty shortlisted parents who were made to answer questionnaires on sociodemographic data and psychological variables. A single pediatric dentist educated the parents individually on the procedure, risks, and benefits of PRF, following which parental consent and views were recorded in the developed performa. Results Consent of 63.3% was recorded at the end of the study. Parenting pattern and parental dental anxiety were found to have significant correlation with the treatment acceptance. Conclusion It is the responsibility of the pediatric dentist to communicate the treatment strategies in a manner that is acceptable to the parents for which a thorough knowledge about parental factors is necessary. This study helps in identifying such factors and highlights the importance of demonstration aids in parental education and motivation.