Hospital care in pedodontics: a survey of current practices.

This study consists of a survey of United States pedodontic postdoctoral education programs. Based on that survey, suggestions for providing a less stressful experience for the hospitalized child are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on normalizing the events of hospitalization and on attempting to parallel the normal home environment of the child as closely as possible. Potential negative effects of inappropriate hospital management are discussed. The unique situation of the multiply handicapped or chronically ii1 child is also discussed and the high potential for deleterious psychological effects for such children is emphasized. Only a small percentage of children seen for dental care require a hospital admission. At the same time,-these children often are among the more interesting and difficult eases the pedodontist encounters. As hospital admissions are now a signif/cant part of pedodontie practice, 1,= the current approach to this activity merits a critical examination. This paper surveys current practices concerning hospital care in pedodontic training programs. These practices are examined with a critical eye toward the psychological risks associated with hospital treatment. Also, recommendations for basic principles of hospital management are presented. Methods and Materials In order to assess current practices, a survey of United States residency and postgraduate programs was conducted. A 19-item questionnaire examining number and types of admissions and typical hospital procedures was sent to the directors of 72 programs. Fifty-five responses or 75% were returned.