Fully updated definitive resource on behavior guidance in pediatric dentistry

The Fourth Edition of Wright’s Behavior Management in Dentistry for Children remains the only text devoted entirely to the complex subject of behavior guidance in pediatric dental practice. Long regarded as the authoritative reference, this edition reflects both scientific advances and the evolving human context in which pediatric dentistry is practiced. New co-editor Janice Townsend and a fresh generation of expert authors bring expanded expertise and contemporary perspectives.

This text approaches the subject from a distinctive perspective: not simply as a set of techniques, but as a process rooted in understanding the child, the parent, and the dynamic between them. Moving beyond a model of control, the book emphasizes communication, trust-building, and thoughtful clinical judgment as the foundation for successful care.

This Fourth Edition:

• Integrates contemporary evidence with the realities of daily practice to provide tools that can be applied immediately in the operatory
• Offers a comprehensive exploration of child development, family dynamics, and the social factors that influence behavior in the dental setting
• Presents a strong clinical orientation, with case-based scenarios throughout the book to illustrate real-world challenges and translate principles into practice
• Expands its focus on communication with parents, while addressing the diversity of modern families and practice environments
• Combines evidence-based dentistry and clinical experience — recognizing that excellence in pediatric dentistry depends on the thoughtful balance of science, skill, and human understanding

Wright’s Behavior Management in Dentistry for Children is an essential resource for pediatric dentists, general dentists who treat children, residents, and students seeking to develop both the technical competence and the professional judgment required to care for children effectively.

The editors

Ari Kupietzky, DMD, MSc, is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at The Hebrew University–Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Janice Townsend, DDS, MS, is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and is on medical staff at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.