Eliminating pediatric behavior management problems at the outset:inviting parents into the dental operatory.

Abstract

Among the most common of iatrogenic causes of initial pediatric dental misbehavior occurs when a young or fearful child is separated from their parent and escorted by a stranger into the dental operatory. While many children ages four and older can readily be separated from the parent and enter the dental operatory alone without consequence, timid, moderate to severely apprehensive, and pre-cooperative children, however, can be expected to find detachment from a parent in new circumstances a highly frightening event. Not astonishingly, workplace policies that demand arbitrary or necessary separation has potential to precipitate a behavior management drawback before one need occur [1]. At this juncture, having to confront a hysterical and crying child from an otherwise content child with the comfort of their parent is avoidable from the outset.