Knowledge of Clinicians Towards Oral Health of Preschoolers in Qatar

Health professionals can play a major role in oral health promotion for children in primary care settings. Objectives: To examine knowledge and attitudes of health professionals (doctors, nurses) working in Well Baby Clinics (WBC) towards pre-schoolers' oral health as part of a larger project on primary health promotion in Qatar. Methods: A survey targeted medical health professionals (MHPs, n=168) who treat preschoolers regularly. Semi-structured interviews targeted key informants (n=3) of the primary health unit in Qatar. Results: Of 168 questionnaires distributed to MHPs, 90 were returned (54%); 68 from MHPs (16 doctors, 52 nurses), and 22 unexpectedly from dental health professionals (DHPs: 11 dentists, 11 dental assistants). Despite 73% MHP not receiving oral health training, 78% would give oral heath advice. A knowledge question (bacterial transmission of caries) was answered correctly by 48% MHP and by 46% DHP. The MHPs said they would: examine child's teeth (59%), assess child's fluoride intake (43%), ask about mother's oral health (47%) and nocturnal bottle-feeding (31%), and discuss importance of tooth-brushing (82%). Modifying WBC's procedures, MHPs would include: preschoolers' dental health assessment (84%), counselling mothers on prevention (86%), fluoride varnish application (47%), child referrals at age 12 months (49%); DHPs would include: preschoolers' dental health assessment (86%), counselling mothers on prevention (96%), fluoride varnish application (59%), child referrals at age 12 months (68%). Thematic analysis of interviews with key informants indicated that they saw the need for a preschoolers' oral health promotion program, but multifaceted shortcomings in both the current health system and society need to be addressed for a program to succeed. Conclusion: Health professionals were not well informed about oral health; continuing professional education is needed. A multistage oral health promotion program is required to address shortcomings in the current oral health system in Qatar.