Preparatory information for third molar extraction: does preference for information and behavioral involvement matter?

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to: (1) evaluate the impact of high versus low information provision in terms of anxiety towards third molar extraction (TME) as well as satisfaction with information provision. (2) Investigate how preference for information and behavioral involvement, interacted with the provision of information in terms of satisfaction with information and anxiety related to TME.

Methods: Psychology freshmen completed the Krantz Health Opinion Survey and questions concerning anxiety about TME (pretest). They were randomly allocated into 2 conditions and asked to read either high or low information concerning TME. A posttest questionnaire (anxiety items and evaluation of the information) was then completed.

Results: Data for 320 subjects were analysed (mean age=20.3, S.D.=4.0, range 16-51 years). Individual differences in preference for information did not affect outcome variables. There was a clear effect for information condition. The high information text was rated as more informative, requiring less additional information, and led to higher satisfaction by all participants.

Conclusion: Results suggest that more information is preferred, even when taking into account differences in preference for information and behavioral involvement.

Practice Implications: Although more work is needed within samples of actual TME patients, these preliminary findings may have important implications for information provision for this common procedure.