Pediatric behavior management through nonpharmacologic methods

All professionals who treat children must develop philosophies of care. Pediatric behavior management deserves significant attention by dentists in the development of such a philosophy. Different strategies are available to manage the variety of pediatric patients' challenges that dentists face. Yet, achieving familiarity and comfort with all of these strategies is a difficult if not impossible task. Therefore, dentists must assess which methods they can be use effectively and safely. Dentists must communicate with parents so that their informed consent is obtained for any of the strategies chosen. Knowledge of the society or community in which one works is essential in deciding which technique will be acceptable. Furthermore, methods of pediatric management are most effective if they are honest extensions of one's personality. Thus, developing a management philosophy demands that one be true to oneself. Behavior-management methods used should be based on careful assessment of one's training and experience with the methods, and evaluation of one's personal philosophy of practice. In addition, the environment in which one practices must be considered in choosing the optimum mix of management strategies with which to fill one's practice "bag of tricks".