Patient Management
Carly R. Saxe, DMD
Resident
NYU Langone- CA Site
NYU Langone
San Diego, California, United States
Fadra Whyte, DMD, MPH
Pediatric Dentist
San Ysidro Health
San Diego, California, United States
Fadra Whyte, DMD, MPH
Pediatric Dentist
San Ysidro Health
San Diego, California, United States
Daniel J. Kane, DMD, MA
Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Purpose: The purpose was to examine parents' of pediatric dental patients perspectives on alternative non-pharmacological behavior management techniques.
Methods: A closed-ended paper anonymous survey was used to obtain parents’ perception of alternative non-pharmacological behavior management in a community health center dental clinic in San Diego, CA. The survey was administered to parents at their child’s dental comprehensive oral exam or periodic oral exam appointments. Data collected included demographic information including the age of the child, the relationship of the biological parent to the child (mother, father), insurance status (Denti-Cal, private insurer, Tricare, uninsured, unknown), race (American Indian, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian, White, other) and ethnicity (Hispanic, Not-Hispanic, unknown). Additional data included parents’ perception of the seven nontraditional non-pharmacological behavior techniques (hypnosis, music therapy, pet therapy, acupressure, aromatherapy, magic tricks, virtual reality) using a Likert scale. Statistical analysis using Chi-square was completed with a significance set at P < .05.
Results: A total of 302 surveys were completed. Most participants were mothers (n=240,80%). The majority of participants were Hispanic or Latino (n=237,79%) The most acceptable non-pharmacological behavior management technique was music therapy (91%) followed by aromatherapy (80%), magic tricks (77%) with acupressure being the least acceptable (53%). Significantly more caregivers with children without special health care needs found virtual reality acceptable (n=128,49%) compared to caregivers with children with special health care needs (n=15, 40%; (P=.05).
Conclusion: Overall, the majority of caregivers surveyed find non-pharmacological alternative behavior management strategies acceptable. Pediatric dentists should consider adding these modalities to their practices.