Use of restraint and management style as parameters for defining sedation success: a survey of pediatric dentists.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may influence current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) members' definitions of a successful oral sedation. METHODS Surveys were electronically mailed to all AAPD members with registered e-mail addresses, and printed surveys were sent via postal mail to all other members. The survey included: (1) items on demographic variables; and (2) questions on sedation methods and definition of success. RESULTS The following response rates were recorded: (1) electronic survey = 26%; (2) printed = 45%; and (3) diplomate = 53%. The majority of members (55%) characterized their patient management style as being authoritarian. Sixty-seven percent agreed that the need to employ restraints when using sedation does not necessarily indicate that sedation is inadequate or unacceptable. When asked if such a sedation outcome could be defined as being successful, however, the agreement dropped to 47%. When defined as optimal, the respondents' agreement was further reduced to 36%. CONCLUSIONS The practitioner's management style and use of restraint significantly influence how a dentist defines a successful sedation.