Joana Gradim Fróis

Behavioral management is essential for a successful clinical approach in pediatric dentistry.

In most situations, the application of different non-pharmacological techniques meets the required requirements; however, in some patients, the lack of cooperation in a “conventional” clinical environment for reasons eminently linked to age, immaturity, underlying medical condition, difficulty/multiplicity/complexity of the treatments required, previous negative experiences, among others, may justify the use of sedation/general anesthesia.

This forum aims to address different aspects of this topic, namely contextualizing its indications, contraindications, possible complications, difficulties, aspects to be considered in terms of logistics, planning, subsequent monitoring, ethical requirements, interface with the anesthetist and all the intervening team.

In addition, particularities shared by dentists with experience of clinical performance in operating room environment will also be addressed, inherent to the successful performance of restorative, surgical and endodontic treatments in children.