Child-Centred child management in a changing world.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to "re-think" child management, as the completion of a procedure is not the only dental goal. Short versus long-term goals and the behavioural and pharmacologic repertoire will influence outcomes. REVIEW: A child-centred approach is described, with a specific protocol for the dental waiting room. The changing attitudes of society need to be taken into account in the use of behaviour management techniques by paediatric dentists. CONCLUSION: The goal of managing children in the dental environment requires some thought: the welfare of the child depends on attention by a clinician to long term goals. The contemporary child-centred clinician has a wide range of child management skills. It is not optional for the clinician to develop his/her behavioural expertise to a high level; clinician skills have long-term consequences. These days behaviour management begins in the waiting room where initial contact provides the opportunity to shape subsequent behaviours.