CDA Essentials 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 8

29 Volume 3 Issue 7 | I ssues and P eople (sticker, toy, etc.). By working collaboratively with the parents, a similar system of rewards can also be put in place at home. In her webinar, Mayo discusses what child psychologists refer to as “free-response tokens.” Prior to an appointment, parents can give their children five tokens and explain how they want them to behave during the dental visit and what they do not want them to do. “Every time the child has a behaviour that is not appropriate, the parent takes away a token. If the child is left with a token at the end of the appointment, they earn something—game time on a video console works very well in my house!” says Mayo. � At-home care. It can be challenging for patients with ADHD to follow your instructions regarding their daily oral hygiene routine. Impulsivity and inattention can easily derail their best intentions. And just like many other patients, they may not fully understand just how long 2 minutes of tooth brushing actually is—or they may get distracted in the process. That is why Mayo suggests the use of an electric toothbrush with a timer. Mayo explains in her webinar that because people with ADHD exhibit a personality trait known as “novelty seeking behaviour,” they quickly lose interest in any task or initiative, even if they initially responded favourably to it. “What you suggest during an appointment, they’re likely to be bored with when you see them six months later. It will probably work for 3–4 months, but then they’ll want the next new thing.” To parents of children with ADHD, she recommends using checklists, reward systems, non-verbal cues such as pictures and images, and over-the-counter disclosing solutions to help them establish and maintain a good oral health routine for their little ones. a Want to knowmore? Watch Lisa’s webinar at: colgateoralhealthnetwork.com/webinar/ why-wont-he-sit-stillbecause-he-cant Visit Lisa’s website for additional resources: lisamayordh.com Watch the interview with Lisa Mayo at oasisdiscussions.ca /2016/04/19/adhd