Purpose:

 The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine compliance in requesting parents to remain silent (noncommunicative) when accompanying their child into the dental operatory for restorative care and (2) determine if any difference in parental compliance existed when combined written and verbal instructions were given to a parent vs written instructions only.

 Methods:

  Thirty-nine parents of 4- to 9-year-olds presenting for restorative care met eligibility criteria for the study. Parents were randomly assigned to a written instructions-only group or a group that received combined written and verbal instructions.

 Results:

 Thirty-two of 39 parents (82%) followed instructions to remain silent. There was no statistical difference in parental compliance to remain silent comparing written instructions (78%) to combined written and verbal instructions (86%).

 Conclusion:

  Parents may be expected to comply with instructions to remain silent in the operatory when given either written or combined written and verbal instructions.

 Source: Journal of American Academy of ‍ Pediatric Dentistry

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