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Using memory restructuring strategy to enhance dental behaviour.

Pickrell JE, Heima M, Weinstein P, Coolidge T, Coldwell SE, Skaret E, Castillo J, Milgrom P

Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7475, USA. jpick@u.washington.edu

AIMS: This study sought to 'restructure' memory of dental treatment to help children develop positive memories and cooperate more fully with the dentist at future visits. DESIGN: The design compared 'usual care' plus an intervention designed to positively restructure memory with 'usual care' plus a control for 45 children, ages 6-9 years, who were in need of two restorative treatment visits. The intervention occurred at the second visit immediately before the dental treatment and focused on restructuring the child's memory of the first treatment visit. Children were asked to recall how much fear and pain they experienced during the first dental treatment. RESULTS: The child's behaviour improved from the first dental treatment visit to the second in the intervention group but not in the control condition. When compared to the controls, those in the intervention group changed their memory of the fear they experienced at the first treatment and their memory of experienced pain. CONCLUSIONS: Restructuring memory may be effective in reducing fear for future treatment, and is easily adaptable to clinical practice in other healthcare situations.

Published 15 October 2007 in Int J Paediatr Dent, 17(6): 439-48.
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