Parents in the Operatory

Department of Pediatric Dentistry

Lutheran Medical Center

Kris Hendricks Date: 9-18-09

Article title: Parents in the Operatory

Author(s): Margaret A. Certo, DDS; Joseph E. Bernat, DDS, MS

Journal: NYSDJ

Volume (number):

Month, Year: Feb, 1995

Major topic: Presence of parents in the operatory during dental treatment

Minor topic(s: Changes in approach through time.

Type of Article: Professional paper.

Main Purpose:

To review the history of parental presence in the dental operatory, address changing opinions from early dentistry to present and lastly, make suggestions for guidelines to include parents in the operatory.

Overview of method of research:

Review of literature combined with professional opinion.

Findings:

Today, parents want to be with their children in the operatory and it is probably an inevitable that pediatric dentists will have to allow parents to be present during treatment. To make their presence a positive aspect of the treatment 7 recommendations are given (which can be reviewed in the paper).

Key points/Summary

In the past, parental presence was considered to have a negative effect on children’s behavior for dental treatment. Throughout the past hundred years, most studies have shown that there is little difference in children's’ behavior in the presence or absence of parents. Studies have argued both sides of the argument and make valid points on to both effects: on one hand, parental anxiety has been shown to negatively affect their children’s behavior at the dentist. However, it has also been shown that parental presence can have a calming affect on the patient.

The big deal is that today’s parents want to be with their children during treatment. Most parents feel strongly that they should be present during treatment. It is unlikely, moving into the future that parents can be excluded from the operatories.

Assessment of article:

I agree with the authors that parents should be allowed to be present during treatment of their children. However, I do not agree with this at St. Joes. Due to our set up, It is very crowded and uncomfortable to have parents present. It is also annoying to have nosey parents poking their heads into the treatment areas. What this article hardly addresses is the problem with siblings being allowed back. Just yesterday I had a bloody screaming mess on my hands only to look up and see some other kid standing at the foot of the chair watching. But, I don’t blame any parent for now wanting to leave other kids in our waiting room, and I can see why they don’t want to stay there themselves.