Shared decision-making (SDM) is a patient-centered care model in which healthcare professionals and patients jointly participate in treatment decisions based on the patient’s values and preferences. In pediatric dentistry, SDM has a characteristic triadic structure involving the child, the parent or caregiver, and the dental team. SDM is increasingly relevant in clinical situations such as decisions regarding sedation or general anesthesia, selection of behavior guidance techniques, timing and modality of orthodontic treatment, and preventive care choices. This review summarizes the concept and major SDM models (such as the Three-Talk Model and SHARE framework) and analyzes how SDM can be applied in pediatric dentistry and the challenges encountered during implementation. It discusses the evolving patient-clinician relationship, the current status of SDM in Korea and other countries, and the relevance of SDM within pediatric dentistry. The review also examines barriers to SDM adoption in Korean pediatric dentistry, including time and cost constraints, limited clinician training, cultural and legal considerations, and the scarcity of decision-support tools. In conclusion, this review recommends developing clinical guidelines, clinician training programs, and patient/parent decision aids to strengthen SDM in pediatric dentistry, emphasizing that SDM-based collaborative care can improve children’s oral health and enhance the quality of dental services.
Soyeon Bak (Sun,) studied this question.