title: Evaluation of words in child-paediatric dentist communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aim of the present study is to demonstrate which words are widely used by children and a paediatric dentist during different dental procedures in conjunction with behaviour shaping in paediatric dentistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty children aged between 3.5 and 10.5 (10 F, 10 M) visiting the clinic of Yeditepe University were enrolled for the study. An audio recorder was hidden in the operatory room, the paediatric dentist was blind. The procedure was randomised as for each child only one appointment was recorded (one patient-one appointment-one procedure). Age, gender, appointment type, details of procedure performed were recorded. At the end of every session, records were investigated regarding verbal communication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The paediatric dentist used a total of 5,005 words during the trial with minimum of 13 and max of 518 words in a session (mean 211.8 ± 153.1). There were no significant differences in the words used by the child and the practitioner regarding gender, session, and duration of being acquainted with (p>0.05). Regarding age groups, preschoolers (3.5-6 yrs old) significantly used more words than the schoolers (7- 10.5 yrs old) (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paediatric dentists should be careful and selective in communication with children as well as using an age-appropriate language.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caglar
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sandalli
authors.affiliation: PhD student, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirant
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Kuscu
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry