Restraint in paediatric dentistry: a qualitative study to explore perspectives among public, non-specialist dentists in Norway

Patient-self-reported history of restraint among 17-year-olds: a retrospective study of records by non-specialist dentists in the public dental service in Hordaland, Norway

“…In general, notes from dental records seldom give a complete picture of the treatment situation (Klingberg et al 1995 ). Since both public and paediatric dentists relate to the practice of restraint with feelings of negativity and professional failure (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ), dentists may simply fail to document the use of restraint despite knowing that they have used restraint. Without well-defined guidelines on the use of restraint, a dentist must individually assess whether restraint is the method of choice (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ).…”

“…Occasionally children resist dental treatment (Klingberg and Broberg 2007 ), and their resistance may lead dentists to use restraint during the procedure (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ). The use of restraint may constitute ethical dilemmas, such as choosing between dental treatments involving the use of restraint or postponing the treatment itself (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ).…”

“…Occasionally children resist dental treatment (Klingberg and Broberg 2007 ), and their resistance may lead dentists to use restraint during the procedure (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ). The use of restraint may constitute ethical dilemmas, such as choosing between dental treatments involving the use of restraint or postponing the treatment itself (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ). Habituating children to dental treatment can be time consuming and patients may experience pain or deterioration of their dental condition if dental procedures are postponed (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Romer 2009 ).…”

“…The use of restraint may constitute ethical dilemmas, such as choosing between dental treatments involving the use of restraint or postponing the treatment itself (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Marty et al 2020 ). Habituating children to dental treatment can be time consuming and patients may experience pain or deterioration of their dental condition if dental procedures are postponed (Aarvik et al 2021 ; Romer 2009 ). The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry provides guidelines on the use of restraint/clinical holding and physical intervention, which likely reflects the current or similar status concerning restraint in relation to children’s dentistry in most European countries (British Society of Paediatric Dentistry 2016 ).…”

“…The use of restraint in the dental care of children is restricted to dentists who have undertaken special training concerning the use of restraint in children (British Society of Paediatric Dentistry 2016 ). In the Norwegian paediatric dental context, physical restraint has been described when a child is held still by a dental health personnel or parents despite the child’s verbal and/or physical resistance, and public non-specialist dentists report that it often occurs in combination with conscious sedation (Aarvik et al 2021 ).…”