Negative and positive control in dental treatment situations

Abstract

The present paper presents a behavioral approach to dental treatment situation. Accordingly, it is proposed a shift of attention toward an emphasis on behavior analysis rather than on technology implementation. It is also emphasized a more clear focus on dentists’ behavior taking into account that technological procedures must be integrated into a domain of human ethical values. As Dental Schools largely shape their teaching programs on the acquisition of clinical skills it seems important to disseminate an understanding of human values associated with behavioral knowledge in dental curriculum to stimulate a behavioral approach to health services.