Parental compliance with instructions to remain silent in the dental operatory

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine compliance in requesting parents to remain silent (noncommunicative) when accompanying their child into the dental operatory for restorative care; and (2) determine if any difference in parental compliance existed when combined written and verbal instructions were given to a parent vs written instructions only. Methods: Thirty-nine parents of 4- to 9-year-olds presenting for restorative care met eligibility criteria for the study. Parents were randomly assigned to a written instructions-only group or a group that received combined written and verbal instructions. Results: Thirty-two of 39 parents (82%) followed instructions to remain silent. There was no statistical difference in parental compliance to remain silent comparing written instructions (78%) to combined written and verbal instructions (86%). Conclusion: Parents may be expected to comply with instructions to remain silent in the operatory when given either written or combined written and verbal instructions.