Travis M Nelson1, Colleen E Huebner2, Amy S Kim3, JoAnna M Scott3. 1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA. tmnelson@uw.edu. 2. Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, at the School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA. 3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although typically not painful, preventive dental care can be distressing to young children. A greater understanding of how adults perceive child distress may enable clinicians to improve the patient/parent experience through alignment of values and facilitation of shared decision-making. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parent, dentist, and independent observer (IO) ratings of child distress during preventive dental procedures. METHODS: Sixty-five children younger than three years were seen for preventive dental care at a university dental clinic. Parents, dentists, and an IO rated intensity of child distress during four phases of the dental visit: (1) pre-exam; (2) positioning; (3) prophylaxis/exam/fluoride; and (4) post-exam. RESULTS: The average age of the children was 24.4 months old (±7.2 SD). The prophylaxis/exam/fluoride phase was judged to be most distress inducing. Mean distress ratings for this phase were: 2.30 (parents); 2.47 (dentists); and 3.08 (IO), which was statistically significant (P=.04). The IO ratings were significantly different from parents (for three phases) and dentists (for one phase); no statistically significant differences were noted between parent and dentist ratings for any phase. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong agreement between parents' and dentists' ratings of child distress during preventive dental procedures.
PURPOSE: Although typically not painful, preventive dental care can be distressing to young children. A greater understanding of how adults perceive child distress may enable clinicians to improve the patient/parent experience through alignment of values and facilitation of shared decision-making. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between parent, dentist, and independent observer (IO) ratings of child distress during preventive dental procedures. METHODS: Sixty-five children younger than three years were seen for preventive dental care at a university dental clinic. Parents, dentists, and an IO rated intensity of child distress during four phases of the dental visit: (1) pre-exam; (2) positioning; (3) prophylaxis/exam/fluoride; and (4) post-exam. RESULTS: The average age of the children was 24.4 months old (±7.2 SD). The prophylaxis/exam/fluoride phase was judged to be most distress inducing. Mean distress ratings for this phase were: 2.30 (parents); 2.47 (dentists); and 3.08 (IO), which was statistically significant (P=.04). The IO ratings were significantly different from parents (for three phases) and dentists (for one phase); no statistically significant differences were noted between parent and dentist ratings for any phase. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong agreement between parents' and dentists' ratings of child distress during preventive dental procedures.
Authors: Umadevan Rajasagaram; David McD Taylor; George Braitberg; James P Pearsell; Bronwyn A Capp Journal: J Paediatr Child Health Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 1.954