Parents' attitudes toward behavior management techniques during dental treatment

This study investigated the attitudes of parents toward behavior management techniques used during dental treatment of children.

One hundred and four parents who accompanied their children to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, Israel, participated in the study. The techniques for managing the children's behavior were explained to the parents prior to treatment and parents were present in the operatory during dental treatment. At the end of the second appointment, parents completed a questionnaire requesting demographic, behavioral, and dental information as well as the parents' attitudes toward the management techniques.

Most parents preferred an explanation as to the proper approach for treating their children. Voice control was totally accepted by most parents, Papoose Board by one-third of the parents and physical restraint by nearly one-fourth of the parents. Of the parents who were in favor of restraint, most children did not cooperate.

Detailed explanations and witnessing children during dental treatment may raise parents' tolerance level to firm techniques.