Behaviour Management of Children Presenting in the Emergency Department with OMFS Problems

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Anesthesia
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Behavioral management of pediatric patients presents significant challenges in acute care settings.
• Traditional non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods are often employed, sometimes in combination.
• The role of specialized support staff in managing pediatric behavior during dental treatment is an area of interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize three case reports of pediatric patients treated in a busy London Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
• To discuss various behavioral management techniques for pediatric dental patients.
• To highlight the specific role and effectiveness of a Play-Specialist in an acute hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• Review of three case reports involving pediatric patients treated by Oral and Maxillofacial (OMFS) Dental Foundation Trainees (DF2s).
• Discussion of non-pharmacological and pharmacological behavioral management options.
• Case scenarios detailing the integration of a Play-Specialist with conventional treatment methods.

Main Results:

• The integration of a Play-Specialist alongside pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods proved beneficial in managing pediatric patients.
• Optimal patient care was achieved through appropriate behavioral management strategies.
• The study demonstrates the value of a specialist trained in child engagement within an acute care setting.

Conclusions:

• Appropriate behavioral management, with or without pharmacologic aids, is crucial for optimal pediatric patient care.
• The employment of a Play-Specialist is a valuable adjunct in acute hospital settings for managing children's behavior during dental treatment.
• Specialized child engagement professionals enhance the effectiveness of dental care delivery to pediatric patients in emergency departments.