EC Dental Science

The objective of this work was to report experiences involving the context of mental health in the family environment and the behaviors presented by parents, guardians and children assisted in the clinics-schools of the Dentistry Course of the Federal University of Pernambuco, in northeastern Brazil. These, from the gradual return of dental care in the diverse epidemiological scenarios of COVID-19, with changes in logistics and care protocols. The experiences described here comprise the period between the months of August 2021 to June 2023, considering a weekly demand of approximately 60 consultations for children up to nine years of age. An increase in extreme emotional reactions has been observed, without a direct relationship to possible "triggers" associated with the approach and complexity of the dental procedure. Behavior changes from "apathy" to "aggressiveness" or even "to hysteria". What was narrated, from these experiences, and even if the sociodemographic variables and the cultural diversity of the target audience involved are considered, can serve as an alert for a greater support for mental health, particularly in the more vulnerable groups of individuals.

Keywords: Mental Health; Family Structure; Pediatric Dentistry; Expressed Emotion

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