Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Comprehensive care for children involves the coordination of services between medical and dental providers so that they provide appropriate services at the appropriate ages. One of the factors which affect the performance of preventive dentistry is the knowledge, attitude and practice of the pediatrician concerning this issue. This study was carried out in September 2017 to assess a group of paediatricians' perception of basic oral health care in children. Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out among 26 Paediatricians (10 male;16 female) in the University Hospital in Istanbul. It consisted of questions on various aspects of knowledge, attitude, and role of paediatricians in preventive dental care. The data were collected and percent frequency distributions for responses to every question were calculated. In Turkey for health staff surveys such the this one, ethics approval is not required. Results: 23(89%) of the participants reported that paediatricians are responsible for infant oral health and they routinely examine the oral cavity of their patients. 74% of them recommend oral hygine practice when first tooth erupted. Most of them 17(65%) never recommended bottle feeding any time. All of the paediatricians reported that they gave nutritional counselling to the parents. They all said that they believe in prevention of oral diseases and 18 (69%) that they agreed with Topical Fluoride applications. 65% of them agree for using toothpaste to clean the teeth. Moreover, 19 (73%) considered Fluoride and Fissure Sealants to be effective for caries prevention Conclusion: Pediatricians play an invaluable role in the maintenance of optimal dental health in infants, children. In the present study, the paediatricians showed reasonable awareness regarding the prevention of dental caries and they all supported oral health activities and the promotion of good oral health hygiene. However, all the Pediatricians supported the oral health activities and promoting good oral health hygiene.

Biography

Betul Kargul graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry in 1986 and started to study as a PhD student in 1987. She has been lecturing and directing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Her research expertise is epidemiology, caries research in children, preventive dentistry , dental materials. She has published more than 90 refereed papers and has more than 120 presentation in the international congresses. She has a expertise in co-ordinating and chairing meetings with partners of multidisciplinary background. She has been active in the field of Peidatric Dentistry. She was a councillor in European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2002-2012). She is currently working as a full Professor in Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Marmara University, IstanbulTurkey.
Email:bkargul@marmara.edu.tr