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Patient Management

184 - Understanding Influences of Parenting on Children’s Behavior During Dental Visits

Friday, May 22, 2026
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Jason Lin, DDS (he/him/his)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • LV

    Laura Villa Torres, PhD, MSPH

    The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health

  • JG

    Jeannie Ginnis, DDS

    University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

  • AP

    Ashley Piedad, HSD

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Miguel A. Simancas, DDS, MS, MSc

    Associate Professor and Predoctoral Program Director in Pediatric Dentistry
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • SC

    Scott W. Cashion, DDS, MS

    Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Abstract:


Purpose: Although observational studies support an association between parenting styles and children’s behavior during dental visits, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. In this qualitative study, we sought to explore these specific mechanisms in children undergoing dental procedures.





Methods: English-speaking children 3-6 years old and their parent/caregivers (P/C) were recruited (n=13). The P/C completed a written questionnaire that included a short version of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ-32) to identify their predominant parenting style. The P/C then participated in a semi-structured phone interview exploring their own perceptions and lived experiences regarding dental care, parenting practices, and perceptions of their child’s behavior in the dental chair. The child’s cooperation rating (Frankl scale) from the most recent dental appointment was extracted from their records. Interviews were coded (Dedoose, SocioCultural Research Consultants, Los Angeles, CA, USA) and thematic analysis was completed.





Results: Most P/C were women (n=12), Black (n=5), and non-Hispanic (n=10). The average age of the children was 5 (SD=1) years. All P/C’s identified predominant parenting style was authoritative. Four themes were identified: child’s personality when preparing for dental visits, the influence of the P/C’s previous dental visits on behavior management of their child, routines for dental behavior guidance, and behavior modeling.





Conclusions: Acknowledging the limitations of this study, our results highlight the possible role of parenting during behavior guidance. Future studies in other populations should seek to validate these findings as well as to explore providers’ perceptions.

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