Guidelines for behavior management of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

(1) Behavior management is only in part a science and must be recognized as an art form to health care delivery. (2) The goals of behavior management are to achieve good dental health in the child patient and to help develop the child's positive attitude toward dental health. (3) The objectives of behavior management are to establish communication and to foster education, thereby alleviating fear and anxiety and building a trusting relationship between dentist and child. (4) All decisions regarding behavior must be based on a benefit versus risk evaluation. (5) Parents share in the decision-making process regarding treatment of their children.