Quality of available internet information regarding IV sedation for dental treatment Claudia Heggie,* 1 Sarah L. McKernon 2 and Laura Gartshore 3 Introduction Single drug intravenous (IV) sedation is widely used in the provision of dental treatment for highly anxious or phobic patients. 1 Additionally, the use of IV sedation for special care patients, for patients with certain medical conditions or in complex dental treatments is widely accepted. 2 Discussion of ‘all aspects’ of conscious sedation and provision of written instructions is a fundamental part of assessment and the consent process for patients for sedation. 3 In the process of informed consent, information must be provided to patients outlining the risks and benefits of proposed treatments. Indeed, aſter the Montgomery case in 2015, the burden of weight rests with healthcare providers to ensure patients are provided with suitable information. 4 Patients cannot make informed healthcare decisions without sufficient information on which to base their decisions; however, healthcare professionals may frequently underestimate patients’ ability to understand information. 6 The patient-clinician relationship oſten involves a perceived mismatch in power, with the physician traditionally perceived as autocratic and the patient vulnerable. 7 Healthcare information is now one of the most commonly searched topics on the internet. 8 A recent survey in the United States demonstrated that 80% of the internet-using population had searched for health-related information. 9 A systematic review of the quality of health information on the internet found that 70% of accepted studies concluded that the quality of information available presents a problem for patients and healthcare professionals. 10 Patients may benefit from the provision of patient information leaflets in relation to planned healthcare procedures; however, evidence is contradictory as to whether leaflets provided at the time of consultation aid knowledge retention. 11,12,13,14,15 It might be expected that online information of poor quality could lead to mistrust of dental professionals and to confusion for patients. It is important that healthcare professionals acknowledge this and guide patients to appropriate web sources if they wish to seek further information. 16 ere is research in the literature regarding the quality of internet information available for a variety of oral conditions; however, no comparative research could be found regarding the quality of sedation-related information. 17,18 If patients are known to search for health information online, it is important that they have access to appropriate information, particularly given that IV sedation is part of a wider range of sedation modalities and that pre- and post- operative instructions are required. Providers of IV sedation should be producing credible, quality information to empower patients to make decisions about their care. e aim of this study was to determine the affiliation, location, format and quality of the information available to patients on the internet regarding IV sedation for dental treatment. A study to determine the quality of information available to patients on the internet regarding intravenous sedation for dental treatment. To consider the role of the internet for patients seeking care and how this may impact on their decision-making. To consider what we can do as dental professionals to improve the overall quality of available internet information regarding intravenous sedation. Key points Abstract Aim Evaluate the content and quality of internet information for patients regarding intravenous sedation in dentistry. Methodology Google was queried with predefined search terms that might be chosen by patients wishing to seek information: ‘dental IV sedation OR dental intravenous sedation OR dental sedation’. The first hundred search results were identified. Invalid hyperlinks and duplicates were excluded. Providers, format and location of information were extracted. For webpages detailing treatment options, the DISCERN instrument and JAMA benchmark were used to determine the quality of the information provided. Results Of the first hundred search results, 89 webpages met the initial inclusion criteria. A majority (79%) originated from dental providers. Information was commonly presented as patient information leaflets. Of the 78 webpages detailing treatment options, 3% of webpages received a maximum DISCERN score of 5 and 64% a score of 1. No webpages fulfilled all JAMA criteria and 89% met only one criterion. Secondary care providers scored higher in both scales; however, this represents only 5% of the information available. Conclusion The internet is a commonly accessed information resource for patients. The quality of internet information available regarding intravenous sedation in dentistry is suboptimal. There is a need for more high-quality information resources. 1 DCT; 2 Clinical Lecturer and Specialist in Oral Surgery; 3 Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool, L3 5PS, UK. *Correspondence to: Claudia Heggie Email address: claudia.heggie@nhs.net Refereed Paper. Accepted 20 November 2019 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1258-7 BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL | VOLUME 228 NO. 4 | FEBRUARY 28 2020 279 RESEARCH © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to British Dental Association 2020