425 - Assent of a 16-17 Year-Old to Participate in Cannabis Research Study

Purpose:

Legislative changes with respect to Cannabis have resulted in increased use in adult and adolescent populations. Cannabis users may have more complications when sedated for dental procedures. Obtaining consent/assent for cannabis use in a minor is a sensitive and complicated issue with respect to society’s opinion and its unclear legal status (Schedule 1 federal law).

Methods:

Adolescents, aged 16-17, scheduled for oral surgical procedures were recruited to participate in our Pre-sedation Cannabis Use Score questionnaire (PCUS). The survey is voluntary and requires participation from the adolescent’s guardian and the adolescent patient. Adolescents can elect to disclose questionnaire responses to guardian. The pre-sedation cannabis use survey is up to 28 questions inquiring about usage, method and types of cannabis. This was an amendment to our active adult study involving the PCUS.

Results:

We have recruited seven participants to this portion of the PCUS study. The average participant age is 16.3 years old, average body mass index (BMI) is 22.2. Zero participants acknowledged drug use in the general pre-sedation questionnaire, however, 1 participant acknowledged extensive cannabis use when electing to complete the survey questionnaire. There have been no refusals to participate so far. The average total sedative drug doses for Midazolam, Fentanyl and Propofol were 4.9 mg, 100 mcg and 167 mg respectively. The average procedure time is 16.6 minutes. The average discharge time is 33.4 minutes.

Conclusion:

Initial study recruitment has gone well, the consent process although more complicated appears to be appropriate, further data collection and analysis is ongoing.

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