Parental cooperation scale in the pediatric dentistry setting: reliability and criteria

The purpose of this study was to provide reliability and criteria data on a newly defined parental cooperation scale (PCS) and in addition correlate between parent scores and their child's behavior in the dental setting.

244 parents accompanying their child to a dental visit were evaluated by two independent pediatric dentist evaluators. 150 parents were designated to be revaluated at least two weeks following the initial evaluation by the same examiner. Children's dental behavior was previously evaluated using the Frankl rating scale.

A majority of the parents were found to be highly positive and positive (40% of the parents were evaluated as being PCS rating 4, 26% were rated 3). 35% of the parents were rated as being negative or extremely negative (27%, 8% respectively). 139 parents were re-evaluated at least two weeks following their initial assessment. 64% were rated as highly cooperative and cooperative; 36% were negative or extremely negative. 244 children participated in the study (mean age +/- SD, 6.8 years +/- 2.86). 67% were rated as Frankl scale extremely cooperative and cooperative (31%, 35.5% respectively). 33% were negative or extremely negative (26.1%, 7.3% respectively). When comparing the Frankl behavior of each child to their parent's PCS a significant association was found (McNemar test value 17.668, p = 0.007).

The PCS was evaluated and found to be a reliable tool to evaluate parental dental behavior. Parents with negative behavior were more likely to present with children who also exhibit negative dental behavior and vice versa.