PROTECTIVE STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE: EFFECTIVENESS FOR DENTAL PROCEDURES IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS

Dental procedures are known to cause fear and anxiety in patients of all ages worldwide. The characteristics of sharp dental instruments and the sound of the handpiece can be intimidating for everyone. Moreover, for children and patients with special healthcare needs (SHCNs) who don’t have the cognitive ability to process the reality of the situation, a dental visit can elicit exacerbated aggressive behavior. Therefore, their uncooperative behavior can turn dental treatments into dangerous and sometimes impossible situations. To manage this behavior, the American Dental Association provides Behavior Management Techniques (BMTs) and guidelines, including the Protective Stabilization technique. The method restricts patient physical movements by human force or mechanical devices. Although concerns about its implementation have been recorded, enough evidence is presented in this paper about the benefits of PS as a BMT to justify its use in dental procedures in children and adults with SHCNs.