Parental acceptance of behaviour guidance techniques used with Thai autistic patients in dental practice

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate parental acceptance of nine behaviour guidance techniques (BGTs) for Thai autistic patients in dental treatment and to assess the factors associated with this acceptance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 parents of autistic patients using an online questionnaire. The study examined nine BGTs: tell–show–do (TSD), positive reinforcement (PR), distraction (DIS), nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation (NOOI), active restraint by parent (ARBP), active restraint by staff (ARBS), passive restraint by device (PRBD), oral sedation (OS), and general anaesthesia (GA). The questionnaire collected demographic data and measured parental acceptance using a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 after participants viewed portraying each BGT in scenarios simulating potentially cooperative autistic patients. Data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni correction and linear regression analysis. Results: All BGTs received mean VAS score above 60. PR was rated highest, followed by DIS, TSD, PRBD, ARBS, ARBP, GA, OS, and NOOI. Parental acceptance was significantly influenced by previous BGTs experience, past dental experiences, autistic severity level, and parental education level. Conclusion: All BGTs evaluated were generally accepted by parents of autistic patients in Thailand. PR was the most accepted technique, whereas NOOI received the lowest acceptance.