Behavior symposium Workshop A report - current guidelines/revision

A Workshop of attendees was convened following the completion of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) symposium, "Beyond the Guidelines: Factors Affecting Behavior Guidance." The title of Workshop A was Guidelines/Revisions and charges were to review whether the current AAPD Behavior Management Guidelines were adequate to guide delivery of dental care for children with specific attention to their effectiveness and safety, the protection of the pediatric patient and dentist, and the newly revised Protective Stabilization guideline, considering the presentations during the symposium. Major themes emerged as areas for consideration in future revisions of the guidelines: 1) toxic stress and the culture of poverty; 2) behavior risk assessment; 3) contemporary knowledge of pain theory; 4) deferred treatment; 5) parental presence in the operatory and 6) current use of protective stabilization. These issues were examined in the context of the current economic, social, and political environment. A summary of the topics and discussions that took place regarding the adequacy of the guidelines is presented.