I would like to thank Dr. Sharon Nicholson Harrell for her fine article, "Managing Slightly Uncooperative Pediatric Patients" (December JADA).
Most dental phobias can be traced back to bad experiences in childhood. The first visits shape a person’s future attitude toward dental treatment.
I have found that a soft poly-carbonate pedo cheek retractor works much better than any type of mouth prop. A retractor is "patient- and user-friendly." It is nonconfrontational, and very easy to insert. It does not break and may be reused.
The patient tends to sit very still, and does not fight the appliance. Also, there is practically no sensation of taste if the lips cannot be closed. The patient cannot ask questions, and is generally more relaxed.
But the most important result is a more relaxed operator! When the operator is not tense, all pediatric dental procedures go much better.
