Child behavior in a pediatric dental practice associated with types of visits, age and socio-economic factors

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date: September 5, 2008
Article title: Child behavior in a pediatric dental practice associated with types of visits, age and socio-economic factors
Author(s): Brill W
Journal: The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
Volume (number): 25
Month, Year: 2000
Major topic: Patient behavior patterns in a private pediatric dental office
Minor topic(s:
Type of Article: Prospective study
Main Purpose: To describe child patient behavior patterns seen in a private pediatric dental office
Overview of method of research: 976 visits made by 539 patients during a period of three consecutive months. Patients were grouped new born-60 months (0-5), 61-96 months (5-8), 97-144 months (8-12), and 145 months and greater (>12). Behavior was scored using the Sarnat scale during 5 types of visits, new patient exams, periodic recare, restorative dentistry, orthodontic adjustment, and quick check observation.
Findings: New patients 0-5 referred by general dentists had patterns of behavior that were the same as new patients in general. No fee for service patients above the age of five were referred with Sarnet scores 345. 33% of Medicaid patients 5-8 received scores of S345. For restorative S345 was 75% for ages 0-5 and decreased to 4% for ages above 12
Key points/Summary : There is a relationship between patient behavior and the age of the patient, type of procedure, source of patient referral, method of payment and familiarity with the office. The younger the child and the more threatening the procedure, the more prevalent the negative behavior. Patients who are fee-for-service are more likely to have more positive behavior than Medicaid patients
Assessment of article: It is unclear as to whether it is males or females with the higher incidence of negative behavior 8-12. In one area of the article it states females and in the conclusion it states males. This article puts on paper obvious expected outcomes but may be a great read for someone who is not in our profession to have a better understanding of how children of different age groups typically act for certain procedures.