Intercorporeal Formations in Pediatric Dental Encounters With Patients Showing Distress

The Intertwine of Controlling and Comforting Touch

Bibliographic Data

ID18964953
AuthorsJ Katila (0000-0002-7124-2328, Tampere University), Enhua Guo (Ocean University of China, corresponding author), Niaz Aziz (Soran University), Katie E Bradford (The University of Texas at Austin), Satu Lahti (0000-0002-9665-0854, University of Turku)
Year2024
Volume34
Issue4
Pages323-339
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/10497323231211451
PMID37983539
OpenAlexW4388818909
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited45

Dental fear and anxiety are highly prevalent among children and have been shown to lead to irregular use of dental services. Previous research has suggested that while touch can alleviate the patient’s stress and help in accomplishing dental procedures, it can also be a source of stress or used to restrain the patient. In this study, we explore the emergence and intertwine of controlling and comforting touch in pediatric dental clinic settings in which patients show signs of resistance, distress, or fear. We use microanalysis of video-recorded interactions to unveil how the adults in the room—any combination of the dentist, dental assistant, hygienist, and caregiver(s)—deploy various types of touch on the child patient to perform the dental procedure while simultaneously comforting the child. Our data set covers video-recordings of naturally occurring dental clinic visits of 3- to 12-year-old child patients from four cultural contexts: Finland, China, Iraq, and the United States. Drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s writings on intercorporeality and the interaffectivity of bodies, the study proposes that touch in pediatric dentistry unfolds as complex intercorporeal formations where the interaffectivity emerges not only through touch but also via vocal resonance. In contrast to clear boundaries between comforting and controlling touch, our analysis indicates that the line between comforting and controlling touch can be blurred. We suggest that touching a pediatric patient showing resistance toward a dental procedure requires careful affective attention to the patient’s subtle and moment-by-moment bodily expressions and reactions to the touch

Anxiety · Distress · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques · Empathy and Medical Education · Medicine · Pediatric Pain Management Techniques · Psychology

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