Parent's presence and the child's response to dental stress.

The results of this study indicate that, given the option, most parents and children initially preferred to remain together during the child's dental visits. Although the percentage dropped as the series of dental visits continued, nearly half of the parents and children continued to prefer to remain together through the last visit. Although parents and children were free to choose, parents presence was not associated with a more negative response by the children. Further research in the complicated dynamics of the situation is needed.