Infant oral health care: a survey of general dentists, pediatric dentists, and pediatricians in Virginia.

作者：Tegwyn H. Brickhouse, John H. Unkel, Indra Kancitis, Al M. Best, Rhea D Davis · 发表于：PubMed · 年份：2008 · 被引用次数：79 · 研究领域：Dental Health and Care Utilization、Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques、Oral and Craniofacial Lesions

PURPOSE: This study's purpose was to examine the current knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to infant oral health for dental and medical providers in Virginia. METHODS: A survey of infant oral health care was sent to: (a) 300 randomly selected general dentists; (b) 300 randomly selected pediatricians; and (c) all pediatric dentists in Virginia. Survey respondents were tabulated, and percent frequency distributions for responses to each item were computed. RESULTS: The surveys return rate was 48%. A total of 100% of pediatric dentists treated infants and were more likely to recommend that children be seen by age 1 (P < .001). All pediatricians treated infants as well, while only 5% referred for the first dental visit by 1 year of age. Forty-five percent of general dentists surveyed treated infants, and only 12% referred for the first dental visit by 1 year of age. The logistic regression results indicated that there were differences between practitioner type regarding the recommended age of the first dental visit and years in practice. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatricians and general dentists are not advising patients to see the dentist by 1 year of age. There is a need for increased infant oral health care education in the medical and dental communities.