Factors Affecting Children’s Behaviour in the Dental Office

Abstract

Most of the children willingly accept dental treatment when approached in a positive and supportive manner. However, dental personnel routinely encounter many children who exhibit considerable anxiety or problematic behaviours in the clinical settings. For some of these children, especially those who are relatively young or have had negativev prior experiences, providing even “routine” dental procedures requires considerable effort and patience. Some require special management considerations because of their extensive dental treatment needs, poor health conditions or behavioural issues. Lack of cooperation of a child not only affects the successful completion and quality of necessary dental procedures but also raises some degree of stress in the dentist. Some children do not always accommodate to plans designed for them as there are many factors which can influence the behaviour of children in the dental situation. There are many factors which influence the behaviour of children in the dental office. Some of them are activity, attitude and attire of dentist, length or time of appointment, general factors such as growth and development of child, nutritional status, school environment, presence of another sibling in the operatory and mother’s behaviour. Though some factors are not under the control of a clinician but knowledge of certain aspects and influences on child’s behaviour can be of major help in the clinical practice. Some of the factors can be modified by dentist to help the child through the dental appointments. It is important that the knowledge and practice of behaviour management should be incorporated in a continuous learning process or education for all dental practitioners. Furthermore, the dental team as a whole, including auxillary personnel, should be trained in the knowledge and practice of various techniques, so that all children may be given quality dental care.