Child behavior in a private pediatric dental practice associated with types of visits, age and socio-economic factors

The purpose of this study was to describe child patient behavior patterns seen in a private pediatric dental practice. Patient behavior for every individual visit was recorded over a span of 3 consecutive months using the Sarnat Behavior Scale as the descriptive measurement device. Behavior during 5 categories of procedures was recorded: new patient examination / introduction to the office, periodic recare, restorative dentistry, orthodontic adjustment and quick check observation. Socio-demographic variables such as age, sex, method of payment as an indicator of socio-economic status, prior dental experience and referral source were also recorded. The results of this study showed: 1. the younger the child and the more threatening the procedure, the more often negative behavior was noted, 2. patients whose dental treatment was paid for by Medicaid and who are likely to be in a lower socio-economic strata, often exhibited more negative behavior than the fee-for service counterparts, 3. in general, there was no difference in the behavior between males and females, although males age 8 to 12 had a higher incidence of negative behavior than females when undergoing restorative dental procedures. There are trends between age, type of procedure, source of patient referral, method of payment and familiarity with the office, that may be able to used as behavioral predictors in a private pediatric dental office.

1. Holst A, Hallonsten AL, Schroder U, Ek L, Edlund K. Prediction of behavior-management problems in 3-Year old children. Scan J Dent Res 101: 110-14, 1993.

2. Klingberg G. Dental fear and behavior management problems in children. A study of measurement, prevalence, concomitant factors, and clinical effects. Swed Dent J Suppl 103: 1-78, 1995.

3. Klingberrg G, Berggren U, Carlsson SG, Noren JG. Child dental fear: Cause-related factors and clinical effects. Eur J Oral Sci 103: 405-12, 1995.

4. Klingberg G, Annas Lofqvist L, Bjarnason S, Noren JG. Dental behavior management problems in Swedish children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 22: 201-5, 1994.

5. Klingberg G, Broberg AG. Temperament and child dental fear. Pediat Dent 20: 237-43, 1998.

6. Allen KD, Stanley RT, McPherson K. Evaluation of behavior management technology dissemination in pediatric dentistry. Pediat Dent 12: 79-82, 1990.

7. Holst A, Schroder U, Hallonsten AL, Crossner CG. Prediction of behavior management problems in children. Scan J Dent Res 5: 457-65, 1988.

8. Venham L., Quatrocelli S. The young child’s response to repeated dental procedures. J Dent Res 56: 734-8, 1977.

9. Venham L, Bengston D, Cipes M. Children’s response to sequential dental visits. J Dent Res 56: 454-9, 1977.

10. Howitt JW, Stricker G. Sequential changes in response to dental procedures. J Dent Res. 49: 1074-7, 1970.

11. Koenigsberg SR, Johnson R. Child behavior during three dental visits. J Dent Child 42: 197-200, 1975.

12. Koenigsberg SR, Johnson R. Child behavior during sequential dental visits. J Am Dent Assoc. 85: 128-32, 1972.

13. Sarnat H, Peri JN, Nitzan E, Perlberg A. Factors which influence cooperation between dentist and child. J Dent Educ 36: 9-15, 1972.

14. Frankl SN, Shiere FR, Fogels HR. Should the parent remain with the child in the dental operatory? J Dent Child 29: 150-163, 1972.

15. Wright GZ, Starkey PE, Gardner DE. Managing children’s behavior in the dental office. pp. 8 1-84. CV Mosby Company, 1983.

16. Horsey MT, Blinkhorn AS. An evaluation of four methods of assessing the behaviour of anxious child dental patients. Int J Paediatr Dent 5: 87-95, 1995.