Behavior Management Techniques for Fearful Children
Many children experience dental anxiety, which can make it difficult for the dentist to provide proper dental care. If anxiety causes the patient to skip dental checkups, it can have potentially damaging effects since they won’t be able to receive optimal dental care.
Dental practitioners are trained to provide safe and effective treatment by understanding and adjusting the child’s (patient’s) response to care. Some of the strategies used to manage the behavior of fearful children include:
1. Information
Children generally respond best to routines. They take comfort in the predictability of a situation. Providing information about the procedure regarding what to expect, including the sensations, can help an anxious child more tolerant to the treatment. But since children cannot sufficiently grasp verbal explanations, the dentist may consider a demonstration or role-play to further create a sense of familiarity.
2. Relaxation
Children who are visibly anxious may not respond well to information, role-play, or demonstration. In such cases, the dentist may include some relaxation techniques, such as deep inhalation and slow exhalation; blowing bubbles through a wand; or progressive muscle relaxation, where he/she reclines in the dental chair and systematically tenses and relaxes different muscle groups in the body.
3. Distraction
This is another very effective way to reduce dental anxiety. If the child seems intrigued by a particular toy, allowing him/her to hold onto it in the dental chair could help distract him/her from the procedure. Alternatively, the dentist can try to engage the child in a dialogue about an interesting and exciting topic; use visualization by asking the patient to visualize a recent pleasant experience, such as a fun party or visit to the amusement park; engage the child in a task, such as doing mental arithmetic; or use props such as TV, video games, and cartoons.
4. Reinforcement
This involves praising and rewarding the child for good behavior. The dental practitioner may encourage the child verbally “you’re doing well, just a bit more”, or use tangible rewards, such as stickers and baseball cards to incentivize the child to keep cooperating and tolerating the treatment. Parents use similar strategies at home, so you may want to suggest a few ideas that work well with your child to see if they will work in the dentist’s office, as well.
5. Parent involvement
Parents can help an anxious child obtain effective treatment in a number of ways. First, the dental practitioner may model a procedure on the parent so the child can try to imitate them when it is their turn on the dental chair. Second, some children feel more reassured just by having the parent in the room with them. Third, the parent can suggest some strategies they use at home to calm the child and make him/her more receptive to treatment.
Compassionate pediatric care
Dr. Corina Ramirez can use any or a combination of these strategies to manage dental anxiety and ensure that your child receives the most effective dental care by completing treatments and checkups.
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