Practical Considerations and the Dental Team
Summary
Today, practicing pediatric dentistry is a team effort, with dentists leading and delegating responsibilities to team members: trained dental auxiliaries and administrative office staff. The pediatric dental team is an extension of the dentist in that it uses communicative behavior guidance techniques, leading the child patient stepwise through the dental experience. This chapter highlights some of the important aspects of child management in which auxiliaries are involved, and provides information to help them with their work. It discusses the concept of practice management, as at times, behavior management and practice management are inseparable. Communications are used universally in pediatric dentistry. Establishing communication with the pediatric patient helps alleviate fear and anxiety, builds a trusting relationship between the dental team, the pediatric patient, and the parent, and aids in promoting the child's positive attitude toward oral health.