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A study of parental presence/absence technique for child dental behaviour management

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European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To examine the effectiveness of parental presence/absence (PPA) technique on the dental behaviour management of children.

Materials and methods

This randomised control study recruited 61 child dental patients with uncooperative behaviour (Frankl 1 or 2) managed with AAPD-endorsed non-pharmacological techniques at a post-graduate university clinic. PPA was only used in the test group (31 children). Using a mini video-tape device, recording commenced at the onset of uncooperative behaviour and this was later rated, minute by minute, by a blinded experienced paediatric dentist.

Statistical analysis

Data were analysed with SPSS v.13.0. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used for normality analysis. The Mann–Whitney U-test and Log Rank analysis were also performed.

Results

The mean point in time, after behavioural problems commenced that PPA or alternatives were applied was 1.82 ± 1.04 min. Behaviour improvement (technique success) was shown by 65.6% of all children. There was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups in age, gender, mean Frankl score, in Frankl score 2 min before/after technique application or regarding the time point at which the technique was first applied. Behaviour improvement was seen in 17 patients (54.8%) in the PPA group and in 23 patients (76.7%) in the control group.

Conclusion

PPA applied to various dental sessions as a behaviour management technique showed no advantage over other basic, non-pharmacological techniques.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr. Angelos V. Vasiliadis for his contribution to the statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papafi 88, 54453, Thessaloniki, Greece

    V. Boka, K. Arapostathis, G. Charitoudis & N. Kotsanos

  2. Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Pedodontology, ACTA Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    V. Boka, J. Veerkamp & C. van Loveren

Authors
  1. V. Boka
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  2. K. Arapostathis
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  3. G. Charitoudis
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  4. J. Veerkamp
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  5. C. van Loveren
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  6. N. Kotsanos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Boka.

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Funding

This study was not funded.

Conflict of interest

All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Ethics Committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

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Boka, V., Arapostathis, K., Charitoudis, G. et al. A study of parental presence/absence technique for child dental behaviour management. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 18, 405–409 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-017-0313-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-017-0313-9

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