Motivation chart as a supporting tool in pediatric dentistry

ABSTRACT Infant fear and anxiety are two feelings that cause stress in pediatric dental treatment. Many management techniques have been described in the literature, with the aim of controlling this anxiety and fear that are ultimately a big challenge for the dental surgeon. The aim of this study is to present a clinical case of a five-year-old child who would not cooperate with the dental treatment. To this end, an incentive chart was devised that is specific for treatment. The chart focuses on encouraging the child to comply with rules in the pediatric dentist office and, as the child completes his objectives, the chart is filled with happy faces and at the end of the appointment, depending on the outcome, the patient is rewarded with something. We concluded that the use of the incentive chart was particularly satisfactory in terms of the patient’s conduct and developing maturity over the course of his dental treatment and it may be an additional option to use as an adjunct in the approach to behavior in private or public dental clinics, and even in Universities.

摘要：婴幼儿恐惧与焦虑是儿童牙科治疗中引发应激反应的两类情绪体验。现有文献已记载多种儿童牙科行为管理技术，旨在管控此类焦虑与恐惧——这最终也是牙科医师面临的一大临床挑战。本研究旨在呈现一例5岁儿童无法配合牙科治疗的临床病例。为此，我们设计了一款专为该诊疗场景打造的激励图表（incentive chart）。该图表以引导儿童遵守儿童牙科诊所的诊疗规范为核心目标，当儿童完成既定目标时，即可在图表上粘贴笑脸标识；诊疗结束后，将根据最终表现为患儿颁发对应奖励。本研究结论认为，使用该激励图表在改善患儿诊疗行为及提升其诊疗过程中的配合成熟度方面效果尤为理想，该方法可作为辅助行为干预手段，应用于私立、公立牙科诊所乃至高校牙科诊疗场景中。