Knowledge and practice towards infant oral health care among pediatricians in Chennai: a questionnaire survey

Topic: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward Infant Oral Health Care among the Pediatricians in Chennai: A Questionnaire Survey. Background: Oral Health Care in infants is of utmost importance as it plays a major role in the overall health. Pediatricians and family doctors are considered to be in a unique position to contribute to the dental health of children as they are brought to them at a very young age itself. The aim of this study was to study the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward Infant Oral Health Care among the pediatricians in Chennai. Materials and Methods: A systematic random survey of pediatricians in Chennai using a questionnaire with questions pertaining to individual details, knowledge level regarding dentistry and approach toward infant oral healthcare. A total of 160 pediatricians were included in the survey. Results: Most of the pediatricians acknowledged the importance of pediatric dentistry. Very few pediatricians (36.2%) regularly examine the oral cavity of infants at birth. Initiating oral hygiene practice before the eruption of the first tooth was advised by 45. 62% of the pediatricians and recommending the first dental visit was not seen to be prevalent (only 13.8%). Conclusion: Majority of the pediatricians are not advising parents to take infants to a pediatric dentist by 1 year of age. More interaction between the pediatrician and the pediatric dentist is essential in order to provide good overall health to the infants.