Behaviour guidance techniques, dental anxiety, Italian practitioners, paediatric patients
Abstract
AIM: The purpose of this study was to survey Italian dental practitioners on behaviour guidance techniques (BGTs). Use of tell-show-do (TSD), sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen according to the Langa technique, audio-visual distraction (AVD) and referral to general anaesthesia (GA) were enquired, particularly focusing on nitrous oxide usage in paediatric dental patients.
METHODS: The research was conducted between September 2022 and December 2023. Data from 153 surveys were eligible to be processed using the STATA/BE software program, version18.0. The sample was stratified based on time in practice (≤10 and >10 years in practice), gender, practicing area (northern, central or southern Italy). Descriptive and inferential analysis were conducted comparing groups using X2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. The level of statistical significance was set at P value <0.05.
CONCLUSION: Behaviour guidance technique selection and utilisation among Italian practicing paediatric dentists is influenced by multiple factors, including gender, time in practice and geographic location of practice. The results showed Tell-Show-Do as the preferred behaviour guidance technique among Italian practitioners. GA referral was assessed to be significantly higher among northern practitioners. Responders in practice for more than 10 years referred to GA a statistically higher percentage of paediatric patients, who were more prevalent in female providers' practices. Sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen according to the Langa technique was noticed to be the least prevalent among the enquired BGTs; there is a need to implement the use and knowledge of nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia among Italian practitioners.
