Behavioral research in Dentistry has created possibilities of knowing different patterns of interaction between dentist and patient as well as procedures to improve dental care. The aim of the present study was to analyze the behavior of two dentists and a five-year old child, during clinical dental treatment. Dental treatment events were recorded and then described based on a functional analysis framework. Behaviors were classified into categories and analyzed in terms of actions-antecedent and consequential events. Results showed that dental treatment involves a bi-directional control of patient and dentists' behavior. Instruction and distraction were the main management procedures of cooperative behavior. Physical restraint and verbal punishment were often used to control uncooperative behaviors. The results showed that what leads a dentist to have such behavior might be closely related to how the patient behaves as well as how much expertise the dentist has on dental treatment for children.
functional behavior analysis; dentistry-patient relationship; psychology and dentistry
