Journal of the British Society of Special Care Dentistry
July 2025
Volume: 25
Issue: 2
DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.63507/HBRQ1646
Title: Lights, camera, action! Making the unfamiliar familiar: a patient information pathway
Author: Singh K, Mann J
Abstract:
Background
In 2022 the British Society of Special Care Dentistry released guidelines on the use of general anaesthesia in special care dentistry. A recommendation was to consider the use of patient stories or photographs to reduce pre-treatment anxiety. An audit carried out with the Special Care Dental department at Bristol Dental Hospital identified a lack of resources, such as patient stories, being available.
Aim and objectives
To produce a patient information video highlighting the admissions pathway for a general anaesthetic with the special care dental team. To also help alleviate anxiety for both patients and their caregivers around an admission and to familiarise them with the pathway.
Design
Collaboration with specialty teams involved in the general anaesthetic admission took place over several months, alongside applying for a charitable grant from Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity to fund the project. Following a successful application, £937 was secured in order to film and edit the video.
Results
The video was trialled on a cohort of patients and staff before being published on the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust’s YouTube page. A QR code was generated for direct access to the video as well as being incorporated onto admission paperwork for patients. The project and QR code were also disseminated within specialty teams involved with the admission across the Trust.
Conclusions
This project highlights the importance of electronic patient information tools within services and the role they can have in reducing anxiety related to an admission for a general anaesthetic.
Key words: General anaesthesia, video, anxiety, pathway.
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Articles from BSSCD Journal 25-2