Childrenese–Child-Friendly Language for Dental Drill in Pediatric Dental Practice - A Questionnaire Survey

Author: Umamaheswari N., Saranyan R., BabyJohn. J. and Raj Mohan M.

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Abstract

In Pediatric Dentistry, Several researchers have emphasized the importance of the development of child-friendly communication with pediatric dental patients. The term “Euphemism” is the mild expressions that substitute words which may be fearful or suggest unpleasantness are often used to create a positive rapport and make the dental procedure more acceptable to a dental patient. The terminology and the sound of dental drill induces children’s anxiety and annoyance increase. Although there are studies which give word substitutes or phrases (euphemisms) that are used to describe dental office procedures and instruments, the real challenge is to find the child friendly language for dental drill which can make the dental procedure more acceptable to the child. The study first of its kind was undertaken to identify the terminology/substitute word used for dental drill and preferred sound for masking the noise of dental drill by the pediatric dental practitioners by conducting questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was conducted among pediatric dentist in India to determine which word and sound can be substituted for dental drill for pediatric dentist use to alleviate the child’s anxiety regarding dental drill and in establishing healthy relationships with their child patients. Out of 651 pediatric dentists 427 responded to a mailed survey. The survey consisted of 10 questions. The results suggested that the preferred Child-Friendly language for dental drill are Dragon fly, tooth cleaner (substitution word) and Dragon fly sound (substitution sound) and this sound can be used as a sound masker for dental drill sound in near future to reduce the children’s anxiety and annoyance.

Keywords

Dental drill, Dental anxiety, Substitution word, Sound masking, Child-friendly

Conclusion

Although various behavior management strategies have been used in Pediatric dentistry, effective communication with child patients has evolved over the years and complex vocabularies have been developed. The present study attempted to present the need of current state-of-the-art of euphemistic language for dental drill in pediatric dental practice. It is widely recognized that proper communication with the child patient forms an integral part of present day pediatric dental care. Even though there is a wide diversity in the terminology utilized by the responding pediatric dentist to describe dental drill, the results of this study have demonstrated that the terminology that is currently encountered in pediatric dentistry as substitution word for dental drill are Dragon fly and tooth cleaner. By being aware of the terminology that is currently encountered in pediatric dentistry, practicing dentists will be able to compare and contrast the terminology that they use in their dental practice. Perhaps, dentists who find it difficult to establish positive relationships with child patients will now have a more complete repertoire of terminology which may aid them in achieving better cooperation while using the dental drill. In our present study, Dragon fly Hiss sound is considered as a substitution sound for dental drill and this sound can be used as a sound masker for dental drill sound.

References

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How to cite this article

Umamaheswari N., Saranyan R., BabyJohn. J. and Raj Mohan M. (2023). Childrenese– Child-Friendly Language for Dental Drill in Pediatric Dental Practice - A Questionnaire Survey. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 256-261.