ORCID

Abstract

I wish to highlight how the current Covid-19 pandemic has affected the effective behaviour management of children. Children with anxiety issues related to dentistry are usually referred to community dental services where dentists are able to spend extra time and effort acclimatising them to dental treatment. However, due to current changes in surgery fallow time and fear of children being asymptomatic carriers, this has made current efforts all the more difficult.Children tend to pick up on non-verbal communication and body language which provides reassurance and the impression of a child-friendly environment. However, this is very difficult to accomplish due to enhanced PPE protocols which may seem very strange and alien-like to children! Voice control which relies on the change in one’s intonation to influence a child’s behaviour is also much more difficult to implement now as this is easily muffled with the use of a visor and FFP3 mask. Due to the current lockdowns which restrict attendance at school, meeting up with peers outside of their household as well as the encouragement of social distancing, this can have a negative impact on a child’s psychological and mental wellbeing due to the lack of social interaction. This can lead to a general feeling of mistrust and wariness when meeting with strangers, thus making it much more difficult for the dentist to obtain the child’s trust in complying with dental treatment.It is important that dentists adopt a calm and proactive approach and involve the child during their interactions. Empathy and support should be provided to establish some form of trust during their visits at the dental surgery. Where possible, it may be beneficial to don one’s PPE while the child is watching and provide a simple explanation, as this will work as a form of systematic desensitisation.

DOI

10.12968/denu.2021.48.4.328

Publication Date

2021-04-02

Publication Title

Dental update

Volume

48

Issue

4

ISSN

0305-5000

Embargo Period

2023-02-23

First Page

328

Last Page

328

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