Psychosocial concomitants to dental fear and behaviour management problems

Abstract

Background: Children with dental behavioural management problems (DBMP) form a heterogeneous group, where personal characteristics play significant roles. Attention to everyday life and family situation as additional background facets may help to better understand and treat these patients.

Aim: This study describes everyday life and family situation in child/adolescent patients referred because of DBMP, as compared to patients in ordinary dental care.

Design: A study group of 230 referred patients (8-19 years old; 118 girls) was compared to a reference group of 248 same-aged patients (142 girls) without DBMP. Patients and parents were interviewed according to a semistructured protocol.

Results: Patients referred because of DBMP more often lived in low socioeconomic status families, had parents not living together, fewer leisure-time activities, and were assessed as doing worse in social interactions compared to the reference group. Half of the study group had personal professional support, and some had experienced interventions by the social authorities. Whether these findings apply also to children/adolescents with DBMP who are not referred to specialist care remains to study.

Conclusions: Many children and adolescents referred because of DBMP have a burdensome life and family situation. This should be paid attention to in research and in clinical care.