A national survey of dentists' management of children with anxiety or behaviour problems

Seven-hundred and sixty dentists, selected randomly from all States and Territories except Victoria, responded to a questionnaire survey on beliefs, attitudes and the techniques used in the management of children with anxiety or behaviour problems. The most common techniques used were permitting the child some degree of control over terminating treatment if difficulties were experienced, coaxing and reinforcing positive behaviours, and furnishing waiting areas with child-oriented play materials. Most respondents never used TV or video-tape distraction strategies, film or video-modelling tape or hypnosis. More than half of the respondents believed there was insufficient information available to them on current anxiety/behaviour management techniques. The use of particular management techniques varied by gender, age, university of graduation, State or Territory of residence, and membership of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry. Patterns of use of particular techniques showed similarities and contrasts with other studies. Patterns of use in the national sample were almost identical to the frequency and pattern of use by Victorian dentists. In contrast, however, North American studies have reported a higher frequency of use of hand-over-mouth, and lower use of general anaesthesia within the armamentarium of techniques and strategies used by dentists to manage anxious or difficult children.