Peer Observation in Decreasing Uncooperative Behavior in Young Dental Patients

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Abstract
The behavior of uncooperative young boys during restorative dental treatment was examined in a multiple baseline design across the subjects. During baseline, the boys received standard dental treatment and noncontingent rewards at the end of each visit. Three of the boys then observed and were observed by a peer during treatment; two boys were only observed by a peer during treatment. Measures of uncooperative behavior, heart rate, frontalis EMG, and dentist-dental assistant ratings of anxiety and cooperation were recorded. All boys exhibited a substantial decrease in uncooperative behavior during the observation visits. Heart rate either decreased or remained at baseline levels, while EMG showed no consistent effect. Anxiety and cooperation ratings demonstrated either improvement or maintenance at low baseline levels.