Use of restraint and management style as parameters for defining sedation success: a survey of pediatric dentists.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may influence current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) members' definitions of a successful oral sedation.


METHODS
Surveys were electronically mailed to all AAPD members with registered e-mail addresses, and printed surveys were sent via postal mail to all other members. The survey included: (1) items on demographic variables; and (2) questions on sedation methods and definition of success.


RESULTS
The following response rates were recorded: (1) electronic survey = 26%; (2) printed = 45%; and (3) diplomate = 53%. The majority of members (55%) characterized their patient management style as being authoritarian. Sixty-seven percent agreed that the need to employ restraints when using sedation does not necessarily indicate that sedation is inadequate or unacceptable. When asked if such a sedation outcome could be defined as being successful, however, the agreement dropped to 47%. When defined as optimal, the respondents' agreement was further reduced to 36%.


CONCLUSIONS
The practitioner's management style and use of restraint significantly influence how a dentist defines a successful sedation.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Universityof Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Kaaren G
KG
Vargas
John E
JE
Nathan
Fang
F
Qian
Ari
A
Kupietzky
D000367:Age Factors; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032763:Behavior Control; D002568:Certification; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education; D010551:Personality; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome