Paediatricians' knowledge, attitude and awareness towards infant oral health care and treatment needs: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: Paediatricians examine infants several times during the 1st and 2nd years of life. Parents usually seek paediatricians' guidance in securing their child's normal growth and development. If proper counsel regarding the child's development and eruption of teeth as well as guidance for the prevention of various oral diseases is rendered at this age, better oral health can be attained for these children. Aims: This study aimed to determine and assess the knowledge and treatment needs of paediatricians for infant oral health care (OHC) in Vadodara, Gujarat. Materials and Methods: One hundred paediatricians practicing in Vadodara City, registered in the Indian Medical Association, were randomly selected for the study. They were requested to fill an objective questionnaire without providing any infant oral health information. Filled questionnaire pro forma was collected by principle investigator. The descriptive analysis was done for the data. Results: Out of the 100 paediatricians, ninety returned the questionnaire, with the response rate of 90%. Knowledge regarding infant OHC was found to be poor in 60% and average in 40% and attitude regarding the same was found to be poor in 20%, average in 60% and good in 20% of the responders. Awareness regarding infant OHC was found to be good in 80% and average in 20% of the paediatricians. Conclusion: Paediatricians need to update themselves on recent recommendations regarding infant oral health to ensure that all their patients receive timely preventive and restorative dental care. This study showed that there is a need for more communication between the paediatricians and pedodontists so as to deliver better child OHC.