Behavior Management

Question:

Can I purchase a papoose board to help me brush my special needs child’s teeth?  I struggle to keep him still.

Answer:

It can be very difficult administering good oral health care to special needs children.  However, we recommend a papoose board only in circumstances when all other methods fail.  As health care providers, we are trained to apply several techniques before “working up” to the papoose board.  Try these techniques to see if you have any luck with them.  Only after that should physical restraints be used.

Tell-Show-Do

• This technique is used for all patients who can communicate, even if communication skills are limited
• It consists of slowly telling the individual what you are about to do, demonstrating the task on yourself or on the patient’s hand, then actually performing the task

Voice Control

• This is used for an uncooperative or inattentive child
• Refers to modulating your voice tone or volume to gain the patient’s attention and cooperation

Positive Reinforcement

• Used for any type of patient
• Helps to shape positive behavior from patient though reinforcement and appropriately timed positive feedback.  For instance, giving a reward each time the child opens and allows you to touch a tooth, or even brush a tooth.

Distraction

• Used for any type of patient
• Includes diverting the patient’s attention from the procedure at hand.  For instance, encouraging the patient to focus on watching TV or listening to music while you are brushing his/her teeth

Nonverbal Communication

• Used for any type of patient
• Giving positive reinforcement through facial expression, etc.

Also, keep in mind that physically retraining a child on a daily basis is a challenging process.  If these recommendations don’t work, we also recommend visiting a behavior specialist whom may be able to give you a few more tips to use before using physical measures.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team