Strong-willed children: a challenge to parents and pediatric dentists.

Abstract

Uncooperative behavior that is associated with a child being strong-willed is responsive to specific behavioral intervention strategies that have been extensively studied. These strategies are ones which are likely to be effective in the pediatric dental setting. We propose that these strategies are most effective when an integrative approach to strong-willed behavior is adopted by the pediatric dentist. Utilization of such an approach will reduce difficult child behavior, increase positive interactions between the dentist and child, and reduce parent frustration and concern.