Parental Preference for Telehealth Post-Operative Visits Following Dental Rehabilitation With General Anesthesia.

<b>Purpose:</b> This study examines parental preferences for telehealth versus in-person follow-up visits after general anesthesia (GA) for children treated for dental caries. While GA is effective, it is costly and invasive, with high rates of recurrent caries and low follow-up. Telehealth may address barriers to follow-up care by improving accessibility and reducing travel burdens. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted with parents of children aged seven years and younger who underwent GA for dental caries at a university-based dental clinic. Participant data, collected via post-visit telephone survey, included demographics, visit modality preferences, and qualitative responses on motivators for modality preference. Quantitative and thematic analyses were performed to identify key factors associated with parental preferences. <b>Results:</b> Among 155 eligible children, 46 families participated. The majority (84.8 percent, n equals 39) preferred telehealth, citing flexibility, reduced transportation challenges, and ease of managing caregiver responsibilities. Those preferring in-person visits (15.2 percent, n equals seven) valued direct provider interaction and sought to avoid technology-related barriers. The mean distance to the clinic was significantly greater for the in-person group (104.2 km versus 49.6 km, P=0.017). <b>Conclusions:</b> The strong preference for telehealth suggests its potential to improve follow-up visit accessibility. However, implementation barriers must be addressed to ensure equitable telehealth integration.