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PROTECTIVE STABILIZATION

Protective stabilization, broadly defined, is the restriction of a patient’s freedom of movement to decrease the likelihood of injury to the patient or the dental personnel while allowing safe completion of the dental procedure.

Protective stabilization may involve another human (dentist, dental team member, or parent), a stabilization device (protective wrap, mouth prop, towel), or a combination. Use of a mouth prop as an aid for a cooperative

patient is not considered to be stabilization.

In your discussions with parents regarding protective stabilization, remind them that active stabilization - stabilization by the dentist and/or dental assistant – is described in the list of behavior management methods that they approved when they signed the health history form. Review this type of stabilization with the parent again, if necessary.

Dental staff who stabilize children should use their hands to limit the patient’s movement. Lying next to the child or partially on the child is not acceptable. The dental team should use the least restrictive stabilization that is safe and effective.

One example of a less restrictive form of stabilization is the use of a pillowcase to restrain hand and arm movements in a patient who is otherwise compliant.

The pillowcase is held open behind the patient; the child inserts his arms into the pillowcase, the pillowcase is pulled up to the child’s armpits, and he is then assisted into the dental chair. Once the patient is supine and lying on the pillowcase, his arms are stabilized.

Colorful children’s pillowcases are available, and can be described as a “Superman cape” or other child appropriate analogy.