THE USE OF REHEARSAL AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT IN THE DENTAL TREATMENT OF UNCOOPERATIVE PATIENTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION

We evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-component behavioral interve ntion including the provision of information (e.g, tell-show-do proced ure), monetary and social reinforcement, brief and frequent dental ses sions, and increased patient control in managing disruptive and resist ive behavior during routine intraoral examination and prophylaxis. A m ultiple baseline design across subjects was used. The four subjects we re all adult males ages from 25 to 41, who ranged in cognitive functio ning from severe to mildly mentally retarded. The systematic applicati on of the intervention resulted in significant increases in cooperativ eness in the first training session and throughout the study. Improvem ent in cooperation was maintained over a several month follow-up with as little as one booster treatment session per month. Results are disc ussed in terms of the ease of use and cost effectiveness of the interv ention.