The use of behaviour management techniques amongst paediatric dentists working in the Arabian region: a cross-sectional survey study

Abstract

Purpose The purposes of this study were to investigate paediatric dental practitioners’ training and confidence in using dental behaviour management techniques in the Arabian region and to assess the factors influencing the application of advanced behaviour management techniques. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to paediatric dental practitioners in the Arabian region. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi Square. Results A total of 113 responses were obtained. Of these, the majority were from Egypt (45%, n = 51). Just over half of the respondents were registered as specialists at the country where they were practicing paediatric dentistry (53%, n = 60). The use of behaviour management techniques varied amongst participants with tell-show-do (95%, n = 107) and positive reinforcement (89%, n = 101) being the most routinely used techniques. The majority of participants reported using voice control (83%) and parental separation (68%) techniques. Hand over mouth exercise (HOME) was only used by 24% (n = 27) of participants, whilst just over half of the participants, 53%, reported using protective stabilisation. A significant association was shown between country of practice, country of obtaining paediatric dental training, speciality status and the use of advanced behaviour management techniques, whilst confidence in using HOME and sedation were associated with work setting and country of practice, respectively. Conclusion The use of advanced behaviour management techniques was found to be high amongst respondents in the Arabian region. The lack of training in using these techniques, however, is of concern. Further assessment of the factors affecting the use of and confidence in applying advanced behaviour management techniques in the Arabian region is needed.

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

“…Although some authors in the USA and Arabian region reported highfrequency use of Voice control (92%), in the present study only one-third of the respondents selected it for anxiety reduction during treatment of pediatric dental patients (13,17). Our study corresponds with a clear trend indicating a decline in the use of Voice control among dentists (18).…”

“…The present results showed that Latent inhibition has also been used by very few practitioners mainly for patients during the period of middle childhood. The specific indications, preparation and time consumption required for such techniques are likely reasons for the low frequency of use reported in the current and a previous study (17). In 2016 Williams found that dental practitioners are least familiar with this technique, as it is a psychological technique that is not a traditional part of dental curricula (16).…”

“…Concerning the attitude related to Distraction, more than half of the practitioners in India have responded positively to its use during the treatment of 2-7-year-old children (2). In contrast, Nazal et al demonstrated that the routine use of such technique is less than TSD and Positive reinforcement (17).…”

Knowledge and attitudes of dental practitioners regarding the use of behaviour management techniques for paediatric dental patients

“…2 The results of the current study are in line with other reported surveys where the routine use of such technique is less than TSD and positive reinforcement. 12 In contrast, Adair et al and Wiliams et al demonstrated that distraction has been reported to be used by the majority of respondents during the treatment of children under 3 years. 13,14 Desensitization, cognitive restructuring and latent inhibition are useful techniques in the management of anxious children and those with specific dental phobias.…”

“…15 The specific indications, preparation and time consumption required for such techniques are likely reasons for the low frequency of use reported in the current and a previous study. 12 These techniques usually involve multiple patient contacts which systematically help children overcome their fear or phobias, and multiple sessions prior to dental appointment. They require dentists to seek additional training or assistance from a professional familiar with that method.…”