Acceptance of Behavior Guidance Techniques in Pediatric Dentistry between American and Colombian Parents

Purpose: To compare the degree of acceptance of behavior guidance techniques (BGT) in pediatric dentistry between American and Colombian parents. Methods: American parents (n=150) and Colombian parents (n=150) of children between three and 12 years of age undergoing pediatric dental treatment participated in this multicenter cross-sectional study. Parents viewed a video depicting 10 BGTs approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and rated their acceptance on a visual analog scale. Differences in the degree of acceptance were analyzed using quantile regression analysis. The level of significance was set at five percent. Results: American parents generally demonstrated higher median acceptance scores across various BGTs compared to Colombian parents (P<0.05). American parents exhibited higher acceptance levels of tell-show-do, voice control, non-verbal communication, positive reinforcement, distraction, presence/absence of parents and nitrous oxide, with statistically significant differences noted. American parents also displayed higher acceptance scores for advanced techniques such as protective stabilization, conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Conclusion: American parents consistently exhibited higher acceptance BGTs, suggesting variations in cultural attitudes toward pediatric dental care between the two groups.