Early Childhood Caries-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice: Discordance between Pediatricians and Dentists toward Medical Office-Based Prevention in Taiwan.

Shinechimeg Dima,Wei-Jen Chang,Nai-Chia Teng,Jung-Wei Chen

doi:10.3390/ijerph15061067

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding early childhood caries (ECC) prevention and implementation of medical setting-based caries prevention among pediatricians and dentists in Taiwan. Data were collected from currently practicing pediatricians and general and pediatric dentists using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 301 questionnaires were completed by the pediatricians (n = 105), general dentists (n = 117), and pediatric dentists (n = 79). The pediatric dentists obtained significantly higher knowledge and practice scores than the general dentists and pediatricians (p < 0.0001). The pediatricians’ attitude score related to engaging physicians in medical office-based caries prevention was significantly higher than the attitude scores of the general and pediatric dentists (p < 0.05). A Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice among the general dentists (rs = 0.271, p < 0.01) and pediatricians (rs = 0.262, p < 0.01). The correlation between knowledge and attitude among the pediatricians was significantly positive (rs = 0.242, p < 0.05). Attitude and practice among the pediatricians were significantly positively correlated (rs = 0.271, p < 0.01). Pediatricians lacked ECC-related knowledge; however, they had a more positive attitude toward medical office-based prevention when they had a higher level of knowledge. Oral health-related education for pediatricians is necessary if such medical office-based caries prevention programs are to be implemented in Taiwan.

Highlights

Childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the “presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child aged 71 months or younger” [1]
The present study revealed that general and pediatric dentists in Taiwan were knowledgeable overall in aspects of oral health in children, differences in knowledge concerning certain items were observed between dental professionals; the knowledge level of general dentists regarding fluoride usage in caries prevention was lower
The results of this study indicate the need to improve oral health-related knowledge in pediatricians if such medical office-based caries prevention programs are to be implemented in Taiwan

Summary

Introduction

Childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the “presence of one or more decayed (noncavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child aged 71 months or younger” [1]. ECC has significant adverse consequences on a child’s health and overall well-being, including increased risk of future caries, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and missed school days. ECC is a major public health concern in Taiwan. The prevalence of caries increased with age among Taiwanese preschool children, with a prevalence of 7.08%, 31.4%, 51.55%, 78.05%, and 79.32%. Among children aged 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 4–5, and 5–6 years, respectively, in 2011 [2]. Tsai et al reported high numbers of untreated caries among children in Taiwan with a mean deft of 0.14 at age 2, 2.58 at age 3, 4.41 at age 4, 6.94 at age 5, and 7.31 at age 6 [3]. By age 6, 89% of children had caries

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