Variation in the Use of Basic Behavioral Management Techniques in General and Pediatric Dental Practice: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: Basic guidance on nonpharmacological behavioral management techniques in dental practice is fundamental for the effective treatment of pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to compare the use of basic nonpharmacological behavior guidance in general and specialist pediatric dentists and to evaluate the perceived difference in their effectiveness across hospital clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with a nonpurposive sample of 179 registered general and pediatric dentists in the Saudi Dental Society based in Jeddah in 2019. Participants were contacted and asked to complete a validated questionnaire. The first section of the questionnaire comprised questions on demographic data and the second section investigated the frequency of the use of various behavioral management techniques. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics were used. Results: A total of 109 participants completed the survey; 52 were general dentists and 57 were pediatric dentists. The techniques tell–show–do (P = .018), positive reinforcement (P = .004), distraction (P = .001), and nonverbal communication (P = .001) were used more frequently by pediatric dentists than general dentists, and there were statistically significant differences. Also, pediatric dentists reported that the techniques tell–show–do (P = 0.035), positive reinforcement (P = .026), distraction (P = .011), and nonverbal communication (P = .007) were highly effective more often than general dentists did. Conclusions: Statistically significant differences were found between general and pediatric dentists in the use of basic behavioral management techniques. Broadly, general dentists used fewer behavior guidance techniques compared to pediatric dentists. More pediatric dentists reported that behavioral management techniques were effective in comparison to general dentists.