Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the IOSN (Indicator of Sedation Need, IOSN) tool in assessing dental anxiety and sedation needs among Chinese patients undergoing common dental treatments. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 153 adult patients from the Painless Dental Center at Peking Union Medical College Hospital after ethical approval. Participants completed a structured Chinese questionnaire including personal/clinical data, the translated IOSN scale, and evaluation of received anesthesia. Descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, and Kappa analysis were used to assess differences and agreement. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.5 ± 13.8 years; 75.2% were female. Significant differences in IOSN scores were observed across anesthesia types (P < 0.001), gender (P = 0.048), and treatment type (P = 0.016). The majority (94.8%) rated their anesthesia as appropriate. The Kappa statistic showed moderate agreement (κ = 0.4615) between IOSN-based sedation recommendations and the adjusted ideal anesthesia plan, indicating that the tool effectively identifies patients who may benefit from sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The IOSN tool shows preliminary potential in assessing sedation needs among Chinese dental patients, though further validation is required. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR2300074190). Registered on 1/8/2023.