Effect of Caregiver's Race and Ethnicity on Acceptance of Passive Immobilization for Their Child's Dental Treatment

Purpose: To determine if caregivers' race and ethnicity impact their willingness to accept passive immobilization for their child's dental treatment and to determine if a detailed description of passive immobilization will make caregivers more likely to accept the technique. Methods: Caregivers of one- to 11-year-old patients were recruited in a university pediatric dental clinic. They completed two surveys and reviewed a written and pictorial description of passive immobilization. Results: A total of 266 caregivers participated. Subjects were willing to accept passive immobilization at the following percentages by race/ethnicity: Hispanic (84 percent); African American (66 percent); Asian (50 percent); and non-Hispanic Caucasian (24 percent). There was a significant association between a caregiver's race and ethnicity and the willingness to consent to passive immobilization (P=.000), and in willingness to accept passive immobilization after reviewing its detailed description (P=.000). Conclusion: Differences in acceptance of passive immobilization were observed based upon race and ethnicity. African American and Hispanic caregivers were more willing to accept the technique than their Asian and non-Hispanic Caucasian counterparts. Caregivers were more likely to accept the use of passive immobilization after they were given more information about the technique.