The efficacy of noncontingent escape for decreasing children's disruptive behavior during restorative dental treatment.
We evaluated the effectiveness of a dentist-implemented behavioral intervention in which brief escape from dental treatment was provided on a regular basis, independent of the child's behavior. Within a multiple baseline design across subjects, 5 children, ages 4 to 7 years, were provided with temporary escape from dental treatment on a fixed-time schedule. The intervals were signaled by an electronic timer worn by the dentist. Clinically significant reductions were observed in physically disruptive behavior across all 5 children with the introduction of noncontingent escape, and verbally disruptive behavior was markedly reduced in 4 of the 5 children. In addition, the dental staff s use of physical restraint was reduced to near zero across all 5 children. The research extends the literature in both clinical dentistry and in applied behavior analysis by demonstrating that a dentist can easily and effectively implement noncontingent reinforcement to produce clinically significant and socially important changes in children's health behavior.
O'Callaghan
Patrick M
PM
Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198, USA.
Allen
Keith D
KD
Powell
Shawn
S
Salama
Fouad
F
D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry; D013997:Time Factors