The Young Child's Response to Repeated Dental Procedures

Children's responses to dental procedures which were repeated over a series of six visits were studied. Response to a mirror and explorer examination at the beginning of each visit deteriorated initially and then improved over the last three visits. Responses to the four injections were increasingly negative. The response to cavity preparation did not change significantly during the four treatment visits. The results suggest dental experience resulted in desensitization to nonstressful procedures and sensitization to stressful procedures.