An overview of non-pharmacological pedodontic behaviour management techniques for the general practitioner

All members of the dental team who are involved in providing dental health services to children need to be familiar with behaviour management techniques in order to ensure that safe and high quality treatment can be delivered. Proper management of the child's behaviour will prevent the development and conditioning of poor responses to dental treatment and will aid in fostering a positive acceptance of this necessary health service. This paper briefly reviews child development in relation to behaviour management, the importance of parental attitudes in both shaping and managing behaviour and general considerations of which the dental office staff should be aware. Common non-pharmacological techniques for managing the behaviour of children in the dental office are reviewed.