Non-Pharmacological Behaviour Management - A Narrative Review

Introduction: Behaviour management is essential in pediatric dentistry, basing itself on a set of techniques to improve communication, reduce anxiety and eliminate unwanted behaviours. Establishing verbal/non-verbal communication forms the basis of the consultation and underpins basic behaviour management techniques, such as tell-show-do, voice control, positive reinforcement, distraction and desensitization, among others. Selecting the technique to use should reflect the individual child's profile and the type of treatment needed. Aim: Performing a critical literature review of the different non-pharmacological behaviour management approaches used in paediatric dentistry. Methods: A search was performed using PubMed/Medline with the keywords "behaviour", "child", "basic communication techniques" and "pediatric dentistry" covering the last 10 years of English language publications with an indexed abstract. Results: The criteria used returned a total of 119 articles, 20 of which were selected following a content analysis of the abstract. Most articles were narrative reviews and clinical studies. An additional 5 articles were added following a process of cross-referencing. Conclusions: Although non-pharmacological behaviour management has shown itself to be crucial to pediatric dentistry, further studies need to be developed with more evidence of the effectiveness of the techniques being recommended. Clinical implications: Mastering these techniques increases trust between the dentist, the child and the caregiver, reduces anxiety, allows provision of the necessary dental care and promotes a positive attitude towards oral healthcare. The majority of children can be treated with basic techniques, while advanced techniques should only be considered following a cost-benefit analysis. Keywords: Behavior, basic communication techniques, pediatric dentistry, child