Abstract
ObjectivesBehaviour management strategies involving pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions during dental procedures should be considered to attain safe and successful treatment outcomes. This study compared the frequencies of use and the completeness of treatment with these interventions.MethodsA total of 1725 dental records of patients up to 18 years old, who were treated in the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah City from October 2018 to June 2019, were used in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Inferential analysis, Chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and regression model were used in the data analysis.ResultsAbout two-thirds of the patients were treated with attendant non-pharmacological interventions, while one-third, with pharmacological interventions. The application of General Anesthesia (GA) was the most frequently used intervention. Restorative procedures and extractions were done in higher frequencies with pharmacological interventions. Treatments with space maintainers and orthodontic appliances were carried out in higher frequencies with non-pharmacological strategies. The choice of intervention was significantly influenced by the systemic conditions of the patients. Patients treated with non-pharmacological intervention comprised the dominant type of patients, because they required treatments with less pain. Those treated with GA needed restorative treatments and extractions, or treatments that involve pain, but these treatments had higher frequencies of being completed.ConclusionsThe treatments with pharmacological intervention through GA have higher frequencies of being completed, compared to those with non-pharmacological interventions. Factors, such as age, potential to complete the treatment, and the type of dental treatment applied, influence the choice of treatment intervention.
Highlights
The specialization of pediatric dentistry provides both primary and comprehensive oral health needs of infants and children, including those with special health careOne of the major problems in pediatric dentistry relates to the management of uncooperative and anxiousBaakdah et al BMC Oral Health (2021) 21:186 children during treatment
Pain is one of the reasons why a patient may be fearful of dental procedures, which is true for pediatric dental patients [6]
The maximum number of dental services provided for each patient was 36 services, and the mean was at 5.74 (± 6.92)
Summary
The specialization of pediatric dentistry provides both primary and comprehensive oral health needs of infants and children, including those with special health careOne of the major problems in pediatric dentistry relates to the management of uncooperative and anxiousBaakdah et al BMC Oral Health (2021) 21:186 children during treatment. Dental fear and anxiety (DFA), which indicates strong negative emotions associated with dental treatment among children and adolescents, is the most common cause of behavioral management problems and the non-compliance of children during treatment [4]. Careful pain assessment and attendant control strategies during dental procedure can promote a better relationship between the dentist and the patient by building mutual trust, relieving fear and anxiety of the patient, and enhancing positive attitudes of the patients toward their future visits [7]. The children’s medical conditions can cause distinctive challenges in dental treatment, because some medical diseases can influence the timing and the type of dental treatment to be administered, as well as the techniques used in pain and anxiety control [8]
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