Objectives: Parental acceptance of different behavioral guidance techniques (BGTs) may vary among different cultures and socioeconomic standards . The aim of the study was to investigate parental acceptance of several behavioral guidance techniques in some private and governmental dental clinics in Bahrain.
Subjects and methods: 140 parents who accompanied their children to either governmental or private dental clinics in Bahrain. Parents were divided into; Group A (n=70) parents who accompanied their children to private clinics., or Group B (n=70) parents who accompanied their children to governmental clinics. Both groups A & B were subdivided into subgroups 1 & 2 (n=35) according to the age of children. Subgroup 1: parents of children aged 2-6 years old. Subgroup 2: parents of children aged >6-12 years old. After being shown a video with 11 behavior guidance techniques, parents rated the acceptance of each technique via 3-likert scale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and listing the techniques in order from 1 to 11.
Results: There was no significant difference between private and governmental clinics within both age groups regarding different demographic parameters. The acceptance of basic BGTs was high regardless child age. Yet, the acceptance of more invasive BGTs was lower those basic techniques especially in the younger age groups.
Conclusion: Positive reinforcement followed by Tell-Show-Do and Tell-Play-Do were the most accepted BGTs by Bahraini parents. General anaesthesia was the most accepted advanced BGT, followed by protective stabilization, N2O/O2 sedation, parental absence and voice control. HOME was the least accepted technique by most of parents.