Parents' attitudes toward behavior management techniques during dental treatment

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Effective behavior management is crucial in pediatric dental care.
• Parental attitudes significantly influence the acceptance of dental behavior management techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate parental attitudes towards various behavior management techniques used in pediatric dental treatment.
• To understand parental preferences and acceptance levels for different methods.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was administered to 104 parents accompanying children to a pediatric dental clinic in Jerusalem.
• Parents received explanations of techniques and were present during treatment.
• Data collected included demographics, behavior, dental history, and attitudes toward management techniques.

Main Results:

• Most parents preferred explanations of treatment approaches.
• Voice control was widely accepted, while the Papoose Board and physical restraint had lower acceptance rates.
• Parental acceptance of restraint correlated with child non-cooperation.

Conclusions:

• Providing detailed explanations and allowing parents to observe treatment can increase acceptance of firm behavior management techniques.
• Parental involvement and understanding are key to managing children's behavior during dental visits.