Dental-Child Interaction Training (DCIT)
Implementing Evidence-based Behavioral Skills in Pediatric Oral Healthcare Providers
welcome to dcit
DCIT is a provider-focused training program designed to equip dental professionals with the behavioral skills needed to improve interactions with young patients. Developed through collaborative research and grounded in evidence-based practices, DCIT enhances provider confidence, reduces stress and supports better health outcomes in pediatric dentistry.
DCIT is tailored for real-world clinical practice. It equips providers with practical skills that are easy to implement and have a measurable impact on both patient experience and provider confidence.
Whether you’re a dentist, hygienist or any member of an oral healthcare team, DCIT offers strategies to create more positive, effective clinical encounters with children and their families.
What is DCIT?
Dental Child Interaction Training, or DCIT, is a skills-based training program developed for oral healthcare providers who work with children. It equips dental teams with evidence-based behavior management tools to improve communication, reduce anxiety, and foster a positive experience for children in the dental chair.
DCIT is directly adapted from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, an evidence-based treatment model backed by over 40 years of research and clinical application.
PCIT has been shown to significantly improve child behavior and strengthen adult-child relationships across a variety of settings. DCIT brings these same core principles to the dental environment, giving oral healthcare providers practical tools to build trust, reduce disruptive behavior, and improve the overall experience for children and staff alike.
What Makes DCIT Different?
Unlike traditional training programs that rely heavily on classroom learning, DCIT focuses on live training workshops that offer real-time feedback, hands-on coaching and skill mastery. Providers learn how to apply evidence-based techniques in during dental visits, with strategies tailored specifically for pediatric oral healthcare settings
Who Can Benefit?
DCIT is designed for anyone involved in delivering dental care to dental patients ages 2-10 years old —from front-line clinicians to support staff. Whether you’re a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or part of the team that helps create a calm, welcoming environment, this training provides practical tools to enhance communication, reduce stress and support better patient experiences.
If you work in a dental office and care for children, DCIT is for you.
DCIT TRAINING WORKSHOP
DCIT workshops are full-day in person workshops that are immersive, experiential and immediately applicable. Led by a team of experts in behavioral psychology and clinical dental care, these workshops combine didactic learning with hands-on role-play to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The DCIT training program equips dental professionals with practical, evidence-based tools to improve communication, reduce child distress and enhance pediatric patient care. The interactive modules are built to be engaging, actionable and immediately applicable in real-world dental settings.
One-day training workshop includes:
- Earn eight free credits – CERP Certified
- Pre-and post- workshop assessments
- Building specialized skills to effectively work with children and parents
- Reviewing filmed segments demonstrating skill use by dental providers demonstrating excellence in DCIT skills
- Practice sessions with direct guidance and coaching
- Continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments
Designed for:
- Dentists
- Dental hygienists
- Dental assistants
- Dental office support staff
the research
A Collaborative, Multi-Site Study
The DCIT study is a collaborative multi-state research initiative funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR. The participating study site partners include UF, the University of Arkansas, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and West Virginia University. Each institution brings unique regional strengths, clinical expertise and research infrastructure to the project, ensuring diverse representation and robust implementation across multiple states. Together, these partners support the multi-site rollout and evaluation of the DCIT intervention.
Our Goals:
- Measure improvements in provider communication
- Assess changes in patient outcomes and visit experiences
- Understand the training’s adaptability across diverse clinical settings
Evidence Based Skills
DCIT is grounded in behavioral science and proven techniques that support child cooperation and reduce provider stress.
Better Communication
Build trust with kids and caregivers using simple, repeatable strategies tailored for real-world dental settings.
Positive Experiences
Turn difficult visits into positive ones with tools designed to make children feel heard, safe, and supported.
De-stress childrens' dental visits
Dental visits can be challenging for children; it doesn't have to be
For providers, kids, and caregivers. DCIT helps reduce fear and distress, improve provider-patient rapport, and foster long-term trust in the dental care setting. The training is designed to be simple to adopt and immediately useful in daily practice.
