Acceptance of Behavior Guidance Techniques Used in Pediatric Dentistry by Parents From Diverse Backgrounds

Abstract

Objective. To investigate if parental background affects acceptance of behavior guidance techniques. Background. Behavior guidance techniques are used for the safe and effective treatment of pediatric patients. Acceptance of these techniques may vary by racial and ethnic background. Methods. A total of 142 parents were recruited and asked to rate videos showing: active restraint/protective stabilization (AR), general anesthesia (GA), nitrous oxide sedation (N2O), oral premedication/sedation (OP), passive restraint/protective stabilization (PR), tell-show-do (TSD), and voice control (VC) techniques. Results. Hispanic parents rated VC most acceptable, followed by TSD, PR, and pharmacologic techniques. Black and white parents rated TSD, followed by N2O, as most acceptable, and AR and PR as least favorable. Hispanics found GA significantly less acceptable than whites or blacks. Hispanics were less accepting of AR than blacks; but more accepting of PR than whites. TSD was highly rated among all 3 cohorts. Parental background affected acceptance of the techniques in this study.