Cross-sectional evaluation of awareness of prevention of dental caries among general pediatricians in Ghaziabad District, India

Abstract

Background:Oral diseases are largely preventable and it is hoped that with the early exposure to oral health-care activities, the prevalence of oral diseases will be reduced in children and they would be more receptive to dental services. Aim: The present study evaluated the awareness of prevention of dental caries among pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among the pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India. Total subjects including in the survey were 88 pediatricians, through systemic random sampling. Both the gender was including Male-37.8% (35/88) and Female-62.2% (53/88). Pre-tested, structured and self administered questionnaire was used in the survey and data analysis was done by using ‘SPSS’ software version 16.0 (IBM, United States).Results:Our study indicated that most of the pediatricians in Ghaziabad district had moderate knowledge 39.7% (35/88), followed by good knowledge 36.5% (32/88) and poor knowledge 23.8% (21/88) about dental caries. Practice guidelines and opinions of pediatricians in the survey were moderate 64.7% (57/88) in about more than half, followed by poor 23.8% (21/88) and followed by good 11.5% (10/88). The attitude for prevention of dental caries was positive in almost everybody 81.8% (72/88).Conclusion:The present survey concluded that pediatricians in Ghaziabad district, India had a good attitude and practices, but had moderate knowledge and lacked proper awareness about dental caries.

The knowledge and practice of pediatricians in children’s oral health: a scoping review

“…Studies conducted in the US and India found high levels (~ 80%) of agreement that pediatricians had an important role in identifying dental problems and moderately strong agreement that they should provide counselling on the prevention of dental caries [ 9 , 36 , 55 , 56 ]. In a national survey undertaken in the US by Lewis [ 7 ], 90% of pediatricians agreed that they should examine children’s teeth for dental caries, but only about half (54%) reported examining the majority of 0–3-year-old children.…”

“…Karasz [ 31 ] reported that while most pediatricians were aware of the guidelines for referral of children to a dentist before 12 months of age, few ensured referral completion. A lack of awareness and implementation of dental referrals for young children was reported across a number of studies [ 31 , 36 , 44 , 55 , 59 – 63 ]. Studies from the US showed wide variations in dental referral rates of one-year-old infants ranging from 8 to 45% [ 34 , 47 , 60 , 64 ].…”

“…There was a lack of reporting on the key barriers that impacted on oral health and knowledge and practice with most studies focusing on inadequate education and training opportunities for pediatricians [ 7 , 9 , 33 , 36 , 41 , 43 , 51 , 55 , 68 , 69 ]. In a Brazilian study, Balaban et al 83.4% classified the oral health content in their medical education as either non-existent or deficient [ 68 ].…”

Conocimiento y actitud de médicos residentes de pediatría sobre caries dental en niños, Paraguay

“…Una publicación sobre una encuesta similar realizada en pediatras de La India reveló que el 39,7% tenía conocimiento moderado, 36,5% buen conocimiento y 23,8% bajo conocimiento sobre caries dental 23 . Mientras que en el estudio realizado en Paraguay se encontró que el conocimiento fue inadecuado en más de la mitad de los pediatras.…”

“…En cuanto a la actitud, los pediatras de La India se mostraron con predisposición muy favorable hacia un rol más activo en la prevención de caries en la mayoría de los encuestados (81,8%), dicha actitud positiva denotó aun mayor compromiso en los pediatras paraguayos de este estudio, quienes en su totalidad estuvieron de acuerdo en que deberían cumplir un papel importante en la prevención de enfermedades bucales 23 .…”