Resumen Objetivo: evaluar si los niños y sus padres consideran que la vestimenta del odontopediatra es un aspecto importante en la relación paciente-profesional y cuál sería la de su preferencia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal, analítico en 270 niños/as de 4 y 12 años y uno de sus respectivos padres, en una Clínica Privada y una Institución de Asistencia Colectivizada en Montevideo, Uruguay. El estudio incluyó un cuestionario dirigido a padres/madres y otro a niños/as, y fotografías de odontopediatras con diferente vestimenta: túnica blanca (Imagen 1 y 6), ambo de color lila para la mujer (I-2) y ambo de color verde para el hombre (I-7), equipo con diseños infantiles (I-3, I-8), vestimenta informal ( I-4, I-9) y vestimenta formal (I-5, I-10). Se les solicitó a los niños/as y padres/madres por separado que clasificaran sus preferencias. Resultados: el 29% de los niños/as manifestó preferencia por la imagen 2, seguida por un 25% por la imagen 3. Tanto para las madres como los padres, la imagen más elegida fue la número 3 con 47% y 10% respectivamente. En relación a las opiniones de los padres/madres con respecto a si la vestimenta del odontopediatra influye en el vínculo con su hijo/a, el 83% manifestó que sí, un 16% expresó que no y un 1% opinó “da igual”. Conclusiones: la vestimenta más elegida por los niños/as encuestados fue el ambo de color lila seguida por la vestimenta con diseño infantil, y la de menos preferencia fue la informal. Para los padres/madres la más elegida fue la vestimenta con diseño infantil. Los padres en general opinaron que la vestimenta influye en el vínculo entre el odontopediatra y su hijo/a; y el comportamiento del niño/a en el consultorio.

Abstract Objective: assess whether the children and their parents believe that the dentist’s attire is an important aspect of patient-professional relationship and, if so, which do they consider to be the most confidence-inspiring attire. Methods: a cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 270 children aged 4 -12 years old and one of their respective parents at one private clinic and an institution of assistance collectivized in Montevideo, Uruguay. The study included a questionnaire and photographs of pediatric dentists in different attire: white coat (picture 1 and 6), green scrub for man and violet scrub for women (picture 2 and 7), children's design on the scrubs (picture 3 and 8), casual attire (picture 4 and 9) and formal attire (picture 5 and 10). Children and parents separately asked to rate their preferences. Results: 29% of children expressed a preference for the image 2, followed by 25% by the image 3. For both mothers and fathers, the image was chosen n°3 with 47% and 10% respectively. With regard to the views of parents on whether the dentist dress influences in the bond between the professional and the child , the 83% said it has influence, while 16% said it doesn´t matter. Only 1% said "do not care". Conclusions: the attire more chosen by children was the violet scrub followed by the scrub with children's design, and the less preference was the casual attire. For fathers and mothers the attire more chosen was the scrub with children's design, Both father and mother felt that clothing affects the bold between the pediatric dentist and his daughter/son; and behavior of the child in the dentist clinic.

O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar diferenças em técnicas de manuseio de pacientes usadas por odontopediatras do sexo feminino e masculino. Todos os participantes do Congresso da Sociedade Israelense de Odontopediatria ocorrido em fevereiro de 1999 receberam um questionário consernente à idade, sexo, comportamento, métodos farmacológicos empregados para o tratamento de crianças, um curso de óxido nítrico, anestesia geral, e sentimentos frente ao paciente pediátrico. Nenhuma diferença entre profissionais do sexo feminino e masculino foram encontradas quanto às técnicas de manuseio. A maioria dos dentistas utilizaram-se da técnica falar-mostrar-fazer e presentearam o paciente no final da sessão. A hipnose foi a técnica menos utilizada. O uso do papoose board foi maior entre dentistas do sexo masculino do que do feminino. A maioria dos dentistas relatou a presença dos pais durante o tratamento, e mais dentistas do sexo masculino utilizaram sua ajuda quando a contenção era necessária. A anestesia geral foi mais utilizada por homens do que mulheres (p=0,01). Um terço dos dentistas relataram sentir agressão frente ao paciente odontopediátrico. Apesar de não haver diferenças estatisticamente significantes, mais mulheres do que homens relataram sentir agressão. A maioria dos dentistas sentiram autoridade frente ao paciente odontopediátrico. Nossos achados revelam que dentistas do sexo feminino e masculino utilizam técnicas de manuseio similares frente ao tratamento odontopediátrico.

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the management techniques used by Israeli female and male pediatric dentists. All 112 participants of the meeting of the Israeli Society of Dentistry for Children that was held in February 1999 received a questionnaire which sought information regarding age, sex, behavioral and pharmacological methods used to treat children, having a course in nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, and feelings towards pediatric patients. No differences between female and male dentists were found regarding most management techniques. The majority of dentists used tell-show-do, and gave presents at the end of the appointments. Hypnosis was the least used technique. Papoose board was more prevalent among male dentists than among female dentists. Most dentists reported having the parents present during treatment, and more male dentists used their assistance when restraint was needed. General anesthesia was significantly more prevalent among males than among females (p = 0.01). One-third of the dentists reported feeling aggression toward the pediatric patient. Although not statistically significant, more female dentists reported about feeling aggression than male dentists. Most dentists felt authority towards the pediatric patient. Our findings imply that female and male dentists use similar management techniques when treating children.