The Effect of Pretreatment Conditioning by Mothers on Dental Behavior of Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Behavior management techniques are an integral component of pediatrics dental visits. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of child pretreatment conditioning by mothers on the dental behavior of children during dental treatment. Methods: Following a randomized clinical trial design, this study was conducted on 72 child-mother dyads, attending the pediatric dental department of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (southeast of Iran). The children were 3 to 6 years old and required pulpotomy of one asymptomatic carious primary mandibular molar under inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia. The dyads were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. Data on age and gender of children, mother’s age, and parents’ education were collected. Mothers in the intervention group received a brochure, containing information on how to prepare the child at home to better cope with the dental procedure. Those in the control group received no intervention. A one-month interval was set between the randomization and treatment. For both groups, an experienced pedodontist performed pulpotomy and stainless steel crown placement in a single session. The dental behavior of children during the operation was scored by a blind instructed and calibrated observer, using the Franckle behavior rating scale. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS version 20 at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The child dental behavior in the intervention group was more frequently acceptable than their counterparts, and a significant difference was found between the groups (P = 0.047). The intervention was successful, regardless of the child’s gender and age, mother’s age, and parents’ education (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, dental practitioners can promote child behavior by engaging mothers to prepare their children before dental procedures.