Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavior and the Child

  • Chapter
Book cover Oral Sedation for Dental Procedures in Children

  • 1599 Accesses

Abstract

One of the greatest but most rewarding challenges in the dental profession is that of providing oral health care to children. The behavior and emotional expressions of children can vary from affable, humorous, and inspiring to rebellious and taxing for parents and professionals. This chapter will investigate children’s behavior, important factors contributing to its expression, and set the stage for the introduction of pharmacological management of the child in the dental setting. Key concepts such as child temperament, age, anxiety and fear, and parents and their impact on child behavior will be discussed. In the end, the dentist importantly must fully embrace and constantly advocate for the child’s oral health and safety even in the face of extreme states of health, behavioral challenges, diversification, and adversity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Mussen PH, Conger J, Kagan J, Huston AC. Child development and personality. 6th ed. New York: Harper & Row; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Overview. Pediatric Dentistry [Internet]. 2013;35(2):2–3. Available from: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/Intro1.pdf.

  3. Fisher-Owens SA, Gansky SA, Platt LJ, Weintraub JA, Soobader MJ, Bramlett MD, Newacheck PW. Influences on children’s oral health: a conceptual model. Pediatrics. 2007;120(3):e510–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cuthbert MI, Melamed BG. A screening device: children at risk for dental fears and management problems. ASDC J Dent Child. 1982;49(6):432–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Long N. Stress and economic hardship: the impact on children and parents. Pediatr Dent. 2014;36(2):109–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Shonkoff JP, Garner AS, Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of C, Family H, Committee on Early Childhood A, Dependent C, Section on D, Behavioral P. The lifelong effects of early childhood adversity and toxic stress. Pediatrics. 2012;129(1):e232–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. da Fonseca MA. Eat or heat? The effects of poverty on children’s behavior. Pediatr Dent. 2014;36(2):132–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen E, Zeltzer LK, Craske MG, Katz ER. Children’s memories for painful cancer treatment procedures: implications for distress. Child Dev. 2000;71(4):933–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Blount RL, Piira T, Cohen LL, Cheng PS. Pediatric procedural pain. Behav Modif. 2006;30(1):24–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Venham L, Quatrocelli S. The young child’s response to repeated dental procedures. J Dent Res. 1977;56(7):734–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Blackwell DL. Family structure and children’s health in the United States: findings from the National Health Interview Survey, 2001–2007. Vital Health Stat 10. 2010;(246):1–166.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Klingberg G, Broberg AG. Dental fear/anxiety and dental behaviour management problems in children and adolescents: a review of prevalence and concomitant psychological factors. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2007;17(6):391–406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sehlmeyer C, Dannlowski U, Schoning S, Kugel H, Pyka M, Pfleiderer B, Zwitserlood P, Schiffbauer H, Heindel W, Arolt V, Konrad C. Neural correlates of trait anxiety in fear extinction. Psychol Med. 2011;41(4):789–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Schlund MW, Siegle GJ, Ladouceur CD, Silk JS, Cataldo MF, Forbes EE, Dahl RE, Ryan ND. Nothing to fear? Neural systems supporting avoidance behavior in healthy youths. Neuroimage. 2010;52(2):710–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pine DS. Integrating research on development and fear learning: a vision for clinical neuroscience? Depress Anxiety. 2009;26(9):775–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fox NA, Henderson HA, Marshall PJ, Nichols KE, Ghera MM. Behavioral inhibition: linking biology and behavior within a developmental framework. Annu Rev Psychol. 2005;56:235–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Helfinstein SM, Fox NA, Pine DS. Approach-withdrawal and the role of the striatum in the temperament of behavioral inhibition. Dev Psychol. 2012;48(3):815–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Morgan BE. Behavioral inhibition: a neurobiological perspective. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006;8(4):270–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Casamassimo PS, Wilson S, Gross L. Effects of changing U.S. parenting styles on dental practice: perceptions of diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry presented to the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry 16th Annual Session, Atlanta, Ga, Saturday, May 26, 2001. Pediatr Dent. 2002;24(1):18–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Arnrup K, Broberg AG, Berggren U, Bodin L. Treatment outcome in subgroups of uncooperative child dental patients: an exploratory study. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2003;13(5):304–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Arnrup K, Broberg AG, Berggren U, Bodin L. Temperamental reactivity and negative emotionality in uncooperative children referred to specialized paediatric dentistry compared to children in ordinary dental care. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2007;17(6):419–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Gustafsson A, Broberg A, Bodin L, Berggren U, Arnrup K. Dental behaviour management problems: the role of child personal characteristics. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2010;20(4):242–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kain ZN, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Maranets I, McClain B, Gaal D, Mayes LC, Feng R, Zhang H. Preoperative anxiety and emergence delirium and postoperative maladaptive behaviors. Anesth Analg. 2004;99(6):1648–54, table of contents.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Martinez D, Wilson S. Children sedated for dental care: a pilot study of the 24-hour postsedation period. Pediatr Dent. 2006;28(3):260–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Quinonez R, Santos RG, Boyar R, Cross H. Temperament and trait anxiety as predictors of child behavior prior to general anesthesia for dental surgery. Pediatr Dent. 1997;19(6):427–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Voepel-Lewis T, Malviya S, Tait AR. A prospective cohort study of emergence agitation in the pediatric postanesthesia care unit. Anesth Analg. 2003;96(6):1625–30, table of contents.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Jensen B, Stjernqvist K. Temperament and acceptance of dental treatment under sedation in preschool children. Acta Odontol Scand. 2002;60(4):231–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Wolff NJ, Darlington AS, Hunfeld JA, Tharner A, Van Ijzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Moll HA, Jaddoe VW, Hofman A, Verhulst FC, Passchier J, Tiemeier H. The influence of attachment and temperament on venipuncture distress in 14-month-old infants: the Generation R Study. Infant Behav Dev. 2011;34(2):293–302.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kochanska G. Emotional development in children with different attachment histories: the first three years. Child Dev. 2001;72(2):474–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Thompson RA, Connell JP, Bridges LJ. Temperament, emotion, and social interactive behavior in the strange situation: a component process analysis of attachment system functioning. Child Dev. 1988;59(4):1102–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Krikken JB, van Wijk AJ, ten Cate JM, Veerkamp JS. Child dental anxiety, parental rearing style and referral status of children. Community Dent Health. 2012;29(4):289–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Winer GA. A review and analysis of children’s fearful behavior in dental settings. Child Dev. 1982;53(5):1111–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Nikolopoulos TP, Vlastarakos PV. Treating options for deaf children. Early Hum Dev. 2010;86(11):669–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Rapee RM. Potential role of childrearing practices in the development of anxiety and depression. Clin Psychol Rev. 1997;17(1):47–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Melamed BG, Bennett CG, Jerrell G, Ross SL, Bush JP, Hill C, Courts F, Ronk S. Dentists’ behavior management as it affects compliance and fear in pediatric patients. J Am Dent Assoc. 1983;106(3):324–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Glasrud PH. Dentists’ characteristics and child behavior management techniques. J Dent Child. 1984;51(5):337–43.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Allen KD, Stanley RT, McPherson K. Evaluation of behavior management technology dissemination in pediatric dentistry. Pediatr Dent. 1990;12(2):79–82.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Adair SM, Schafer TE, Waller JL, Rockman RA. Age and gender differences in the use of behavior management techniques by pediatric dentists. Pediatr Dent. 2007;29(5):403–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Allen KD, Stokes TF. Use of escape and reward in the management of young children during dental treatment. J Appl Behav Anal. 1987;20(4):381–90.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Asl Aminabadi N, Erfanparast L, Sohrabi A, Ghertasi Oskouei S, Naghili A. The impact of virtual reality distraction on pain and anxiety during dental treatment in 4–6 year-Old children: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2012;6(4):117–24.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Greenbaum PE, Turner C, Cook 3rd EW, Melamed BG. Dentists’ voice control: effects on children’s disruptive and affective behavior. Health Psychol. 1990;9(5):546–58.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lourenco-Matharu L, Ashley PF, Furness S. Sedation of children undergoing dental treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;3:CD003877.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Littlewood MF. Parenting styles and values: mechanisms of intergenerational continuity and discontinuity [MS thesis]: Western Carolina University; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3026, USA

    Stephen Wilson DMD, MA, PhD

  2. Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    S. Thikkurissy MS, DDS

  3. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    Elizabeth S. Gosnell MS, DMD

Authors
  1. Stephen Wilson DMD, MA, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Thikkurissy MS, DDS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth S. Gosnell MS, DMD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen Wilson DMD, MA, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical C, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Stephen Wilson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wilson, S., Thikkurissy, S., Gosnell, E.S. (2015). Behavior and the Child. In: Wilson, S. (eds) Oral Sedation for Dental Procedures in Children. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46626-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46626-1_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-46625-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-46626-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation