Child behaviour in the dental clinic: Parent’s perception regarding various influencing factors

Objective: To evaluate the parents’ view regarding factors influencing child behaviour in dental clinic. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among parents who brought their children to the Paediatric Dental Clinic in Malaysia. Parents completed a close-ended questionnaire (n=274). The questionnaire was divided into 4 separate categories. The questionnaire assessed parental views on the following 4 parameters: dentist, dental clinical settings, dental treatments and child related factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: According to parent’s perception, dental treatment plays the most significant role on a child’s behaviour in the clinic when compared to other parameters. No significant difference between the “yes” and “no” responses for dentist, dental settings and child related factors as agreed by parents. Conclusion: Parental attitudes are constantly changing as the society evolves. So it is important to reassess their beliefs regularly and update our understanding of their attitudes. This will help to modify and shape the patient’s attitude toward dental care and dental caregivers.