Abstract
An 8-year-old boy presented at the pediatric dental clinic at Nihon University School of Dentistry with the chief complaint of dental caries. The patient was cooperative throughout the course of treatment in the first three month, but later complained of stomachache and chest pains at the beginning of treatment, and became emotionally unstable. His cooperation became poor and his dental treatment could not be continued. In this same period he refused to attend school, and at 9 years of age was diagnosed as having ‘infant depression'. We discussed behavioral management for him with his psychiatrist and carried out his dental treatment under general anesthesia after informed consent. Subsequently, his condition improved with the psychiatric therapy and he was able to undergo normal dental treatment and could maintain good oral hygiene. We conclude that pediatric dentists should keep the possibility of ‘infant depression' in mind and that partnership with a psychiatrist is important for a good prognosis for children with depression.
