Behaviour of 3-11-year-old children during dental treatment requiring multiple visits: a retrospective study

To examine children's behaviours during consecutive dental treatments, relative to gender, age, and behaviour guidance techniques.

A retrospective study of medical records of children treated by four residents in a Department of Paediatric Dentistry, during 2015-2018. Data included: age, gender, behaviour guidance technique (no medication, inhaled sedation, conscious sedation with hydroxyzine or benzodiazepines) and behaviour according to Frankl scale.

Of 205 children, 134 were 3-6 yo (Group 1) and 71 were 6.1-11 yo (Group 2). Most presented a positive behavioural profile, with significant difference between groups (p = 0.02), no significant difference between genders (p = 0.72). A significant association between behaviour guidance techniques and behavioural profile was found (p = 0.01). Most children with positive behaviour received inhaled sedation (83%), while most children with negative behaviour received conscious sedation using benzodiazepines (8%). Negative behaviour was observed only in the younger children receiving conscious sedation with benzodiazepines (9%) or hydroxyzine (3%).

Most 3-11 yo patients exhibited positive behaviour during four consecutive dental treatments, with different behaviour guidance techniques. Negative behaviour was more frequent among 3-6 yo children, where sedation was often required to achieve cooperation, and 4.5% could benefit from general anesthesia.