An Analysis of Behavior Management Papers Published in the Pediatric Dental

Dan Boboia
Article Review 9/11/09

Title: An Analysis of Behavior Management Papers Published in the Pediatric Dental

Author: Stephen Wilson
Pediatric Dentistry 27:4, 2005

Purpose:
To categorize behavior management literature primarily published in Pediatric Dentistry and Journal of Dentistry for Children over the past 30 years to determine the quality of survey, opinion, and clinical publication types; also to focus on the specific techniques of behavior management, sanctioned by the AAPD, to determine the extent of evidence-based support for the techniques.

Methods:
A search of articles focusing on behavior management, but excluding sedation, was conducted of Pediatric Dentistry and the Journal of Dentistry for Children from 1970 to the present time. The publications were reviewed, data on authors, titles, and publication dates entered into a spreadsheet, and the publications divided into different types of analysis. The publications were divided into: opinion paper, survey or observation, clinical study.

Results:
168 articles were used. Less the 1/3 of the papers involved clinical studies. 38% were opinion papers. 32% were surveys or descriptions of behavior management in the dental setting. The number of clinical studies peaked in the mid 1980’s, and surveys have increased over the past decade.

Conclusions:
Numerous clinical studies, surveys, and opinions articles have been published on behavior management techniques. Most articles are opinion based, descriptive, or surveys. Less then 1/3 are based on clinical protocols incorporating the use sound scientific principles and methodology. There is minimal evidence derived from clinical studies on techniques used to control children’s behavior and responses to dentistry and published in the principal journals of our profession. Many questions still remain regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical protocols associated with behavior management. The potential for future behavior management studies is great. The evidence-based data to support a clinical science of effectiveness of behavior management techniques in pediatric dentistry is limited and needs further development.

Assessment:
Good Article