Behavior guidance of the patient with SHCN can be challeng-
ing. Because of dental anxiety or a lack of understanding of
dental care, children with disabilities may exhibit resistant be-haviors. These behaviors can interfere with the safe delivery of dental treatment. With the parent/caregiver’s assistance, most patients with physical and mental disabilities can be managed in the dental office. Protective stabilization can be helpful in patients for whom traditional behavior guidance techniques are not adequate.39 When protective stabilization is not feasible or effective, sedation or general anesthesia is the behavioral guidance armamentarium of choice. When in-office sedation/general anesthesia is not feasible or effective, an out-patient surgical care facility might be necessary.