Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice toward oral health between pediatricians and family doctors

Abstract

Aim: Pediatricians and family doctors are at the first step in the education of parents about oral health, as well as the prevention of oral diseases and the provision of oral health in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pediatricians and family doctors about oral health in children. Methodology: A questionnaire consisting of 50 items was sent to pediatrician and family doctors via mail. Descriptive analysis and ttests were done to analyze the data. Participation in the survey, with a total of 240 participants (58 pediatricians, 182 family doctors), was 100%. Results: It was found that pediatricians believe that they have more important role in the development of oral health and prevention of oral diseases and they are more interested in participating in the oral health program than are the family doctors. Conclusions: Pediatricians and family doctors should work with dentists to improve the quality of oral hygiene in all young children.

Assessment of Pediatricians’ and General Practitioners’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Oral Health, Dental Caries and Its Prevention in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Similar results were observed in a comprehensive European survey, in which 97% of respondents agreed that such examinations were essential [28]. In contrast, the results from Turkey were mixed: 85.7% of family physicians did not examine children's oral cavities, and pediatricians did so only when problems occurred (44.8%) or at the mother's request (31.0%) [29]. Another study from Saudi Arabia indicated that 43.6% of participants reported conducting routine examinations for children, with pediatricians (64.8%) demonstrating significantly better practice compared to family physicians (35.2%) [7].…”

“…Comparing these results with those of other studies, a study from Saudi Arabia found that 45% of family physicians and slightly more than half of pediatricians (54.8%) had this knowledge [26]. A survey conducted in Turkey, which included family physicians and pediatricians, showed that nearly one-third of family physicians (32%) and a much higher proportion of pediatricians (88%) were aware of this mode of transmission [29]. The research results from Qatar are devastating, with 84% of respondents who participated in the study conducted among general practitioners and pediatricians being unaware of the possibility of bacterial transmission [18].…”

“…Family physicians included in the study answered the above statement correctly 44.5% of the time, while pediatricians answered correctly 62.2% of the time. A Turkish study involving family physicians and pediatricians found that 90% of respondents educated parents about the importance of fluoride toothpaste, and among pediatricians, this figure was as high as 100% [29]. In Syria, more than three-quarters of pediatricians (81%) did not know the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under six years of age, while only a small number (4.8%) did [3].…”

Assessment of Paediatricians’ Oral Health Knowledge, Behaviour, and Attitude in the United Arab Emirates

“…These results are similar to those reported by Sabbagh et al and Gupta et al [ 14 , 18 ]. Gezgin et al reported that only 44.8% of the study participants examined the oral cavity in the presence of a problem [ 24 ]. As mentioned before, social desirability, in addition to cultural and educational factors, might have resulted in these differences.…”