Date |
ArticleType |
2/2/2017 |
Insights |
Try Communication, Not Sedation, In Pediatric Dentistry |
|
Try Communication, Not Sedation, In Pediatric Dentistry by Marvin H. Berman, DDS Providing early childhood preventive and corrective dental care occupies a high priority in our profession. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has long been an advocate of the one-year-old checkup and the establishment of a dental home for children. Lack of physical access to dental care has been commonly cited as a barrier to accomplishing these goals. But an even more serious impediment may be the average dentist’s dread of encountering an apprehensive, reluctant, crying, screaming, and often physically violent young child, likely accompanied by a worried, nervous, intrusive, and overly protective parent. Children behaving badly are frequent problems not only for parents but for authority figures in general, including teachers, coaches, and dentists. Some of today’s parents seem to believe that raising a child is about making excuses, but not demanding accountability; freedom to make choices, but not setting boundaries; and rewards for minimal accomplishments, but not punishment of misdeeds. I’ve also seen a lack of discipline and a lack of consistency among many parents. Many mothers and fathers now ask and hope their children will behave rather than expecting them to do their bidding, and they often find themselves justifying and explaining their position of authority to their children. The ability to say “because I said so” in response to “why” has become obsolete. By the way, these same parents are the ones who want to be in the operatory during treatment to help you and “protect” their child. Read full article on Dentistry Today.
|
|
|