ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey the alternative behavior management techniques that might be utilized by pediatric dentists in place of hand over mouth exercise (HOME) after its elimination from the clinical guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). METHODS: A questionnaire was electronically mailed to 2,600 AAPD members. The survey included items related to HOME alternatives after the elimination, concerns with its use, and if the elimination had affected access to care for children. RESULTS: Seven hundred four respondents (30%) completed the survey. Voice control was the first alternative, and minimum/moderate sedation was the second most common. Three hundred fifty respondents (50%) believed that HOME is an acceptable behavior management technique, and 290 (41%) believed it should be continued to be recognized by the AAPD. Only 7% believed that HOME elimination affected access to care for some children. CONCLUSION: Advanced behavior management techniques will be utilized more by pediatric dentists after the elimination of the hand over mouth exercise from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's clinical guidelines.
Subject(s)
Behavior Control/methods , Dental Anxiety/therapy , Dental Care for Children/methods , Pediatric Dentistry/methods , Restraint, Physical/methods , Behavior Control/psychology , Child, Preschool , Dental Care for Children/psychology , Dental Care for Children/standards , Humans , Hysteria/therapy , Restraint, Physical/psychology , Societies, DentalABSTRACT
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CGuidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings--2003 addresses general infection control issues, dental practitioners face many unique situations when treating pediatric patients. Children and adolescents have varying levels of physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development. Dental practitioners are regularly challenged to meet the psychological needs of their young patients while maintaining appropriate infection control practices. This article deals with several of the common clinical issues faced by dental practitioners who treat pediatric dental patients.
