Passive Observer Instruction on Parental Satisfaction in a Dental Setting The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry Volume 42, Number 5/2018 doi 10.17796/1053-4625-42.5.3 339 Passive Observer Instruction on Parental Satisfaction in a Dental Setting Hilma K Rodriguez*/ Mark S Webman**/ Oscar Arevalo***/Rosie Roldan ****/Daniel M Saman***** Purpose: To assess the efect of a single pre-operative instruction given to parents to be a passive observer on satisfaction with their child’s dental visit. Study design: Parents of 105 healthy three to nine year-old patients presenting for their frst restorative appointment were randomly assigned to the test or control group. The former received an oral instruction at the beginning of the appointment from the treating dentist to be a passive observer while the latter received a mock instruction. The dentist assessed whether the parent remained a passive observer during the visit. Parents completed a survey assessing satisfaction with their child’s dental visit. Results: More parents were rated as passive in the test group than in the control group, 67.3% vs. 32.1%, (P<0.01). However, no statistically signifcant diference was found in parental satisfaction between the test and the control group. Conclusion: Asking parents to act as passive observers may help preserve the advantages of parental presence in the operatory while eliminating many of the disadvantages. A single preoperative instruction given orally by the treating dentist to be a passive observer was efective and did not lead to a reduction in parental satisfaction. Key words: pediatric dentistry, parents, satisfaction. From the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital), Miami, FL. ** «In loving memory of Dr. Mark Webman, a true mentor.” *Hilma K Rodriguez, DDS, Former Resident in Pediatric Dentistry, now in private practice, Miami, FL, **Mark S.Webman, DDS, Adjunct faculty member, private practice, Miami, FL. ***Oscar Arevalo, DDS, ScD, MBA, MS, Assistant director, pediatric dental residency program, Miami, FL. ****Rosie Roldan DMD, MD, pediatric dental residency program, Miami, FL. *****Daniel M. Saman, DrPH, MPH, Research Scientist, Essentia Institute for Rural Health, Duluth, MN. Send all correspondence to : Hilma Rodriguez 14291 SW 24th st. Davie, Florida, 33325 Phone: 415-225-0696 E-mail: hilma.rodriguez@hotmail.com INTRODUCTION T he debate about the role parents should play in the dental ofce is as old as the profession. As society changes, so does the perception of that role. Although multiple studies have investigated the dynamic of dentist, parent and child, their fndings difer greatly. Frankl et al found that a mother’s presence had no negative efect on children’s behavior. 1 Pfeferle et al confrmed that there was no signifcant diference in negative behavior of children with or without parents in the operatory. 2 Johnson and Baldwin discovered a signifcant relationship between a mother’s anxiety and the behavior of the child regardless of the nature of the visit. 3 More recently, Marzo et al concluded that children were signifcantly more cooperative without their parents present. In addition to decreased cooperation, children whose parents were present were less likely to return for further dental care. 4 Multiple studies have evaluated parent’s preference to remain in the operatory during their child’s dental treatment. 5-8 These studies, from several countries, show that parents generally want to be present for their child’s dental care. Kamp as well as Shrof, et al. in the US, found that 66% and 78% of parents respectively, wanted to stay with their child during treatment. 5,6 Peretz and Zadik in Israel, found 70% of parents wanted to be with their children and 65% were willing to help during treatment if necessary. 7 Arathi and Ashwini showed in an Indian study that 78% of parents wished to stay with their child during treatment. 8 The most common reason parents wanted to be outside of the treatment area was that they felt