August 14, 2025Open Access

Assessing Dental Students’ Emotions While Treating Uncooperative Children: A Pilot Study

IKIda KornerupUniversity of Alberta SCSharon M. ComptonUniversity of Alberta QGQi GuoMedical Council of Canada

Key Points

A majority of dental students reported stress when treating uncooperative children, with 75.9% indicating anxiety or frustration during appointments.
58.6% of participants felt anxious while managing difficult pediatric patients, revealing the emotional toll of these interactions.
This cross-sectional pilot study involved 29 dental students who completed an 18-question survey assessing their emotional responses.
Findings call for improved behavioral management training to better prepare dental students for pediatric practice, enhancing care delivery.

Abstract

Introduction: Dental students often face emotional challenges when managing uncooperative pediatric patients, which may lead to reduced interest in treating children post-graduation, limiting access to pediatric dental care. Objective: This study aimed to examine dental students' emotional experiences while treating uncooperative children and their perceptions of the training provided on behavioral management techniques. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey-based pilot study was conducted at an urban, university-affiliated dental clinic during the 2017-2018 academic year. The target population consisted of 41 third-year dental students in their first year of clinical rotations, from which 29 students completed the survey. Informed consent was obtained, emphasizing voluntary participation or withdrawal. Students were invited to complete an 18-question Likert-scale survey. Access was restricted to their unique university emails, ensuring participation integrity. To avoid academic pressure, a research assistant administered the survey. The survey included questions adapted from established tools such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and validated by two pediatric dentistry experts. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and path analysis to explore relationships between stress, training adequacy, and behavioral management perceptions. Results: A majority (75.9%) of students reported stress while treating uncooperative children, with 58.6% experiencing anxiety and 69.0% frustration. Additionally, 13.8% expressed concerns about harming the child. While 51.7% were satisfied with their treatment outcomes, 65.5% indicated needing further behavioral management training. Conclusion: This study highlighted significant stress and anxiety among managing uncooperative pediatric patients. Enhanced training in behavioral management and increased clinical exposure are essential to prepare students for practice confidently.

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