IADR Abstract Archives
Medical office-based caries prevention related attitudes among practitioners in Taiwan
Objectives:
Methods: Data were collected from currently practicing pediatricians and general and pediatric dentists using self-administered questionnaires.
Results: A total of 301 questionnaires were completed by the pediatricians (n = 105), general dentists (n = 117), and pediatric dentists (n = 79). The pediatric dentists obtained significantly higher knowledge and practice scores than did the general dentists and pediatricians (P < 0.0001). The pediatricians’ attitude score related to engaging physicians in medical office-based caries prevention was significantly higher than the attitude scores of the general and pediatric dentists (P < 0.05). Most pediatricians (58.3%) agreed that they could apply fluoride varnish to prevent ECC in children; however, most dentists disagreed (65.8% of general and 79.7% of pediatric dentists). A Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice among the general dentists (rs = 0.271, P < 0.01) and pediatricians (rs = 0.262, P < 0.01). The correlation between knowledge and attitude among the pediatricians was significantly positive (rs = 0.242, P < 0.05). Attitude and practice among the pediatricians were significantly positively correlated (rs = 0.271, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Pediatricians with more knowledge were significantly more willing to perform oral health-related practices and possessed a positive attitude toward medical office-based ECC prevention. Although the majority of pediatricians reported willingness to include preventive oral health interventions in children’s visits, a lack of oral health knowledge and confidence appeared to pose barriers.
To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding early childhood caries (ECC) prevention and implementation of medical office-based caries prevention among pediatricians and dentists in Taiwan.
Methods: Data were collected from currently practicing pediatricians and general and pediatric dentists using self-administered questionnaires.
Results: A total of 301 questionnaires were completed by the pediatricians (n = 105), general dentists (n = 117), and pediatric dentists (n = 79). The pediatric dentists obtained significantly higher knowledge and practice scores than did the general dentists and pediatricians (P < 0.0001). The pediatricians’ attitude score related to engaging physicians in medical office-based caries prevention was significantly higher than the attitude scores of the general and pediatric dentists (P < 0.05). Most pediatricians (58.3%) agreed that they could apply fluoride varnish to prevent ECC in children; however, most dentists disagreed (65.8% of general and 79.7% of pediatric dentists). A Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice among the general dentists (rs = 0.271, P < 0.01) and pediatricians (rs = 0.262, P < 0.01). The correlation between knowledge and attitude among the pediatricians was significantly positive (rs = 0.242, P < 0.05). Attitude and practice among the pediatricians were significantly positively correlated (rs = 0.271, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Pediatricians with more knowledge were significantly more willing to perform oral health-related practices and possessed a positive attitude toward medical office-based ECC prevention. Although the majority of pediatricians reported willingness to include preventive oral health interventions in children’s visits, a lack of oral health knowledge and confidence appeared to pose barriers.