Open AccessAttitudes of dental students towards paediatric dental behaviour guidance
Author(s) -
Maria Shindova,
Ani Belcheva
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
brazilian journal of oral sciences/brazilian journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1677-3225
pISSN - 1677-3217
DOI - 10.20396/bjos.v21i00.8665272
Subject(s) - likert scale , curriculum , desensitization (medicine) , medicine , perception , behavior management , medical education , nonverbal communication , dentistry , psychology , family medicine , developmental psychology , pedagogy , receptor , neuroscience
Aim: To compare the pre-clinical and clinical students` perceptions about the non-pharmacological behaviour management techniques in paediatric dentistry and to investigate the influence of the dental curriculum on the students` knowledge regarding this issue. Methods: A total of 283 students from the IV-and X-semester completed a questionnaire, consisted of 12 statements, describing the nonpharmacological behaviour management techniques for the treatment of paediatric dental patients. The acceptability rate was evaluated with a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. Results: The students from all courses demonstrated high acceptance for Reinforcement and Desensitization techniques and low for the Negative reinforcement and Physical restraint. The comparison between the perceptions of the pre-clinical and clinical students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the acceptance of the physical restraint, along with Nonverbal communication, Modelling and Parental presence/absence (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results provide information about the students’ knowledge and skills in behaviour management techniques together with some insights about how the educational process can modify the students` perceptions and views in dealing with paediatric dental patients.