dE-STRESS CHILDRENS' DENTAL VISITS
Build trust and create more positive experiences for children, caregivers, and providers.
DCIT is directly adapted from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, an evidence-based treatment model backed by over 40 years of research and clinical application.
Description
Dental-Child Interaction Training, or DCIT, is an evidence-based, skills-based training program designed for oral healthcare providers who work with children through age 10. Adapted from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, DCIT equips dental teams with practical behavior management tools to improve communication, reduce child anxiety, increase cooperation, and create more positive dental visits for children and their families.
This full-day, in-person workshop combines didactic instruction, hands-on activities, experiential practice, and real-time feedback. Participants will learn directly from internationally recognized researchers in clinical child psychology, behavioral dentistry, and pediatric dentistry while practicing interactional skills that can be immediately applied in real-world dental settings.
Participants will also be part of a research project funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to help demonstrate the impact of DCIT on provider confidence and satisfaction, child patient cooperation, and parent approval.
Objectives
- Describe evidence-based skills for increasing child adherence with dental provider instructions.
- Demonstrate how to provide effective instructions to young children and reinforce cooperation.
- Practice and receive feedback on “gold standard” skills, including labeled praise and active listening, to build rapport and increase cooperation during dental visits.
What Makes DCIT Different?
DCIT goes beyond traditional classroom learning by focusing on live training, hands-on coaching, role-play, and skill mastery. Providers learn practical strategies tailored specifically to pediatric dental settings and receive direct feedback to help strengthen confidence and clinical communication.
Who Can Benefit?
DCIT is designed for dental professionals and team members who care for children ages 2–10, including:
- Dentists
- Dental hygienists
- Dental assistants
- Dental office support staff
- Any oral healthcare team member involved in creating a calm and positive patient experience
One-Day Training Workshop Includes:
- 8 CE credits
- Pre- and post-workshop assessments
- Specialized skill-building for working with children and parents
- Review of filmed segments demonstrating DCIT skills in dental settings
- Hands-on practice sessions with direct guidance and coaching
- Continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
Express Your Interest in the DCIT Study at The Button Below:
Funding & CEUs:
Free of cost for participants
8 CEUs
Disclaimer: DCIT is a collaborative research project funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and conducted in partnership with the University of Florida, University of Arkansas, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and West Virginia University.
For More Information:
Please contact program coordinator
Mary Lynne Davis, CRDH
(352) 222-7034
MDavis@dental.ufl.edu
