Audio Transcript
Q: Should parents participate in children’s dental visits? What is their role?
Dr. Larry Salzmann responds.
A: Dentists’ and parents’ attitudes about this issue vary widely. Children’s responses to their parents’ presence or absence vary as well. To decide whether a family member should be present during some or all dental procedures, each oral health professional must be aware of his or her own skills, the abilities of the child, and the parents’ wishes and skills. Parents can be a valuable resource in the operatory. Discuss limits of their involvement ahead of time. It’s important that one person serves as primary communicator with the child; otherwise the child may become confused. Particularly for children with communication disorders, parents may be the most effective communicators.
Please note: Since this audio was recorded, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has changed the wording in its guideline from "behavior management" to "behavior guidance."