Does COVID-19 pandemic have any impact on use of behavior management strategies in paediatric dentistry? A cross sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyse the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on behavior management strategies in paediatric dentistry. Study Design: For this cross sectional research, before the COVID-19 pandemic and after the lift of lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic, a standardized dose-ended set of 26 questions on behaviour management and paediatric dental practise was developed and forwarded to pedodontist in India. The data of their responses was collected and put into a worksheet in Excel, then analysed statistically and inferences were drawn. Results: The preference for non-pharmacological and pharmacological behavior management techniques has been changed;before COVID-19, non-pharmacological behaviour management techniques were widely prevalent but after the lift of lockdown the preference for pharmacological behavior management techniques have noticeably increased. Conclusion: Because of the threat of cross-infection in the COVID-19 pandemic, use of strategies for behavior management has be changed. So the paediatric dentist should cope-up with the situations such as the COVID-19 outbreak, adapt to changes in behavior management strategies and become competent enough to effectively perform treatment in paediatric patients.