O papel do cirurgião-dentista na redução do estresse e da ansiedade infantis durante o atendimento odontológico ambulatorial

Abstract

This narrative review of the literature intends to present subsidies that guide the conduction of dental treatment and support decision-making that improve the quality of life of child patients, based on a greater understanding of the psychosocial aspects that involve their dental care. In this way, it aims to provide scientific evidence about the role of the dentist in reducing children's anxiety and stress during outpatient care, aiming at the decision for the best conduction of dental treatment. From a search in the databases "PubMed", "Google Academic" and "SciELO", using the descriptors “análise do estresse dentário”, “ansiedade ao tratamento odontológico”, “comportamento Infantil” e “odontopediatria”, “child behavior”, “dental anxiety”, “dental stress analysis" e “pediatric dentistry”, 40 references published between 2009 and 2022 were selected. and children's anxiety permeates the outpatient dental environment, even impacting children's oral health, especially in the current scenario, resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Some methods, tests and scales can be used, before and after dental care, for measuring and evaluating children's anxiety and stress, ensuring a certain predictability of behavior. There are also different techniques for managing child behavior, especially non-pharmacological and integrative techniques. s which, used with caution and skill, according to the age and emotional and cognitive maturity of children, help to reduce their stress and anxiety. It is suggested that further studies evaluate the influence of professional postures and conducts on children's behavior, in the outpatient dental environment, so that the dentist has more subsidies to promote a holistic, effective and safe child care, aiming at improvements in quality. of life for children and their families.