277 - Comparing parental and provider prediction of child behavior during bitewing radiographs at initial and periodic dental examination

Abstract: The aim of this study is to compare the relationship between parental and provider prediction during treatment appointments in pediatric dentistry. Child behavior during bitewing radiographs has been documented as an indicator of a child’s behavior during future treatment, and their tolerance for interventions. Patients 4-10 years old presented at Saint Louis University Pediatric Dentistry undergoing either a new patient exam or periodic exam, consisting of extraoral exam, intraoral exam, prophylaxis, radiographs, and fluoride varnish. Parents were given a demographic survey and explanation of Frankl scores with examples. After the exams and prophylaxis were completed, provider and parent both documented the anticipated Frankl score of the child’s behavior during the radiographs. Parents watched through a window of the operatory during the radiographs, and the provider and parent documented the ‘actual’ behavior Frankl score. The hypothesis was the operator would be better at predicting the child’s behavior than the parent.

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