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An exploratory study investigating children's perceptions of dental behavioural management techniques
Author(s) -
Davies E. Bethan,
Buchanan Heather
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12007
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , distraction , thematic analysis , perception , likert scale , exploratory research , coping (psychology) , affect (linguistics) , clinical psychology , family medicine , qualitative research , developmental psychology , psychiatry , psychology , social science , neuroscience , sociology , anthropology , communication
Background Behaviour management techniques ( BMT s) are utilised by dentists to aid children's dental anxiety ( DA ). Children's perceptions of these have been underexplored, and their feedback could help inform paediatric dentistry. Aim To explore children's acceptability and perceptions of dental communication and BMT s and to compare these by age, gender, and DA . Design A total of sixty‐two 9‐ to 11‐year‐old school children participated in the study. Children's acceptability of BMT s was quantified using a newly developed Likert scale, alongside exploration of children's experiences and perceptions through interviews. anova and t ‐tests explored BMT acceptability ratings by age, gender, and DA . Thematic analysis was used to analyse interviews. Findings Statistical analyses showed no effect of age, gender, or DA upon BMT acceptability. Children generally perceived the BMT s as acceptable or neutral; stop signals were the most acceptable, and voice control the least acceptable BMT . Beneficial experiences of distraction and positive reinforcement were common. Children described the positive nature of their dentist's communication and BMT utilisation. Conclusion Dental anxiety did not affect children's perceptions of BMT s. Children were generally positive about dentist's communication and established BMT s. Children's coping styles may impact perceptions and effectiveness of BMT s and should be explored in future investigations.