Behavior Management Techniques Adopted by Pediatric Dentists in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Dental treatment exposes the patients to an environment that may trigger natural response of fear, leading to difficulties in accepting treatment or even dental avoidance. The study aimed to identify the most common behavior management techniques (BMT) adopted by pediatric dentist in Egypt for managing uncooperative children. Methods: Questionnaires were hand delivered to pediatric dentists, which designed to record participants demographic and practice information, their current use of BMT, to determine the most common behavior management techniques used for each patient age; and their relationship to practitioner gender, total year in practice and position in the faculty. Results: Surveys were returned by 72 pediatric dentists (27.8% were males and 72.2% were females). Parental presence was practiced by all participants mainly for patients less than 2 years (93.1%). Tell-show-do was considered the most used technique (95.8%) for patients 3-5 years. Their employment of advanced techniques by respondents was less than basic techniques, being least for sedation and highest for general anesthesia mainly for the very young patients (73.2%). Conclusions: Presence of parents at the operatory became imperative for patients less than two years to gain their cooperation, unless general anesthesia will be used for them.

Use of Behavior Management Techniques by Dental Practitioners During the Treatment of Pediatric Patients from Different Age Groups

“…A recent survey of members of AAPD reported similar popularity (99%) with both techniques (4,10). TSD is one of the most used techniques for patients 3-8 years, as it is safe, non-invasive and being acceptable among practitioners and parents (1,4,6,11). In line with the present study, Rajasekhar et al reported that 43.1% of participants in their study opted for TSD for building rapport with children of age 4-7 years (2).…”

“…The present results show a trend indicating a decrease in the use of Parental presence/absence technique with the increasing age of patients. In Egypt, almost all practitioners (93.10%) prefer this technique for the management of uncooperative 0-2 years patients, as the major problem in providing treatment for them are their infantile behavior and immature communication ability (6,23). While in India, less than half of the respondents (40.2%) rely on parental presence while treating children of 0-2 years (2).…”

“…The AAPD has classified BMTs into basic and advanced techniques. BMTs are a set of procedures employed by dental practitioners used to alleviate anxiety, establish communication, instill a positive attitude and enable performing quality oral health care safely and efficiently for children [6]. Children exhibit different attitudes and temperaments, which are influenced by their differences in physical, emotional, and social development.…”

A curriculum for behaviour and oral healthcare management for dentally anxious children—Recommendations from the Children Experiencing Dental Anxiety: Collaboration on Research and Education (CEDACORE)

“…In the US, data collected in 2010 indicated that paediatric dentists use protective stabilisation in about 20% of their patients . In Egypt, 76.4% paediatric dentists use protective stabilisation . In India, parents accept protective stabilisation at the same level as general anaesthesia (lower than nitrous oxide and oral sedation) .…”

“…11 In Egypt, 76.4% paediatric dentists use protective stabilisation. 37 In India, parents accept protective stabilisation at the same level as general anaesthesia (lower than nitrous oxide and oral sedation). 38 This justifies the importance of changing the mindset about protective stabilisation globally through curricula with modern approaches.…”