Third molars surgical extraction awareness: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess public awareness of the surgical third molar extraction, preventive recommendations, and fear levels among individuals who underwent third molar surgical extraction (E) and those without prior experience (WE). METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 584 respondents assessed demographics, knowledge of preventive recommendations, areas in which they felt a lack of information, and fear levels (1-10 point scale). Statistical analyses were performed at a significance level of p = 0.05. RESULTS: The E group (313 respondents) proved to be better informed than WE (271). The lowest knowledge scores in both groups were related to pain medication and postoperative diet; the most unclear areas included complications (33.6%) and pain medication (22.1%). The highest level of effectiveness was observed for the combination of written leaflets and verbal instructions among the educational approaches evaluated. In E group, the mean fear score was 5.7 (SD = 2.7) before the first and 4.9 (SD = 2.8) before the second extraction (p < 0.001), while in WE the score was higher 6.3 (SD = 2.7) (p = 0.012). Fear levels were lower among regular dentist attendees (p = 0.004), and in men (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Insufficient knowledge of postoperative care, especially in pain medication use, was observed, even among respondents with a prior history of the surgical extraction. Combined verbal and written instructions appeared to be associated with knowledge of preventive recommendations. Lower levels of fear were reported by men and by individuals with prior experience of the procedure.