Effects of changing U.S. parenting styles on dental practice: perceptions of diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry presented to the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry 16th Annual Session, Atlanta, Ga, Saturday, May 26, 2001.

Purpose: This study surveyed board-certified pediatric dentists on their opinions about changes in U.S. parenting styles and the effects on the practice of pediatric dentistry.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed, piloted, and mailed to 1,129 members of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry during the summer of 2000.

Results: A total of 577 respondents (51%) returned questionnaires, equally distributed across AAPD districts, with male:female ratio of 4:1 and 90% married. A majority perceived parenting styles had changed during their practice lifetime (88% "absolutely or probably changed"), with older practitioners significantly more likely to say so. Ninety-two percent felt changes were "probably or definitely bad" and 85% felt that these changes had resulted in "somewhat or much worse" patient behavior. Practitioners report performing less assertive behavior management techniques than in the past due to these changes.

Conclusions: Diplomates report that parenting changes have occurred and they believe these are negative (bad) and have adversely influenced behavior and caused changes in pediatric dentists' behavior management.