The hand-over-the-mouth technique (HOM) was studied in a single-dentist pedodontic practice. The study included the frequency of its use relative to the patient's age, sex, previous dental experience and history of a significant medical experience. Observations were also made of the nature of subsequent appointments. HOM was used for almost 10 percent of the patients studied in less than 2 percent of the total number of dental appointments. It was used most often for three-year-old patients, especially female. In the majority of cases (89 percent), it was used on a single occasion and that incident was followed by appointments of a positive nature.