Abstract
To analyse the influence of the presence of the parent in the dental operatory on their child's behaviour during dental treatment. This study was a randomised controlled trial performed in a secondary paediatric dental care clinic. The child's perception of the dental treatment and its behaviour during treatment according to the parent and dentist were compared with parental presence in the operatory as independent variable. Age and dental anxiety were also calculated as co-variable. The child's perception of the treatment was assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Rating Scale. The behaviour of the child according to parent and dentist was measured using Venham`s (modified) clinical rating of anxiety and cooperative behaviour. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann Whitney U tests and Independent Samples T Test. 90 children participated (50% girls, mean age 6.21 years old, SD ± 1.56). During the habituation session child's behaviour was better according to the dentist when the parents were not present in the operatory during treatment (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in a child's perception of the treatment in relation to parental presence or absence. Dentally anxious children behaved better according to the parent (treatment session 2) and the dentist (habituation session and treatment session 2) when the parent was not present in the operatory (p<0.05). Relying on a child's perception of dental treatment, a made no difference whether the child was treated with or without the parent(s) in the dental operatory. For anxious children it was mainly the dentist who was aware of the disadvantages of the parental presence.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.