IADR Abstract Archives
Knowledge of Tunisian Paediatricians Regarding Child Oral Health.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of paediatricians in relation to the oral health of their patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a structured close-ended questionnaire was distributed among pediatricians in Tunisia. A total of 88 pediatricians agreed to participate in the study by filling out the questionnaire which was composed of three main sections; demographic characteristics, questions assessing participants’ practice, knowledge, attitude about ECC and questions about their teaching in oral health during specialty training.The data was analyzed using SPSS software, frequency and chi-square test were conducted, and P-value of <0.05 and less was considered significant.
Results: The sample was made up of pediatricians of both genders (73.9% females and 26.1 males), aged between 26 and 75 years with a mean age of 45.9 ± 1.23 years.About 76% of pediatricians (76%) have knowledge of ECC, and 71% of them identified bottle-feeding as a risk factor of developing ECC with a higher percentage among private practice pediatricians (P<0.05). The majority of pediatricians (99%) discouraged breastfeeding but only 49% of them advised against bottle-feeding with a higher percentage among pediatricians practicing for more than 15 years (p<0.05). Despite the fact that all the pediatricians (98%) believed that they had an important role to play in the prevention of young children oral diseases, only 67% of them reported routinely examining the oral cavity of their patients. A total of 53% classified the oral health content in their medical education as nonexistent and deficient and 94% reported that they would like to learn more about oral health.
Conclusions: Pediatricians should increase their knowledge of children’s oral health, and incorporate it into their daily practice. Oral health informations programmes should be developed for Tunisian pediatricians and included in Tunisian medical curricula and residency.
Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a structured close-ended questionnaire was distributed among pediatricians in Tunisia. A total of 88 pediatricians agreed to participate in the study by filling out the questionnaire which was composed of three main sections; demographic characteristics, questions assessing participants’ practice, knowledge, attitude about ECC and questions about their teaching in oral health during specialty training.The data was analyzed using SPSS software, frequency and chi-square test were conducted, and P-value of <0.05 and less was considered significant.
Results: The sample was made up of pediatricians of both genders (73.9% females and 26.1 males), aged between 26 and 75 years with a mean age of 45.9 ± 1.23 years.About 76% of pediatricians (76%) have knowledge of ECC, and 71% of them identified bottle-feeding as a risk factor of developing ECC with a higher percentage among private practice pediatricians (P<0.05). The majority of pediatricians (99%) discouraged breastfeeding but only 49% of them advised against bottle-feeding with a higher percentage among pediatricians practicing for more than 15 years (p<0.05). Despite the fact that all the pediatricians (98%) believed that they had an important role to play in the prevention of young children oral diseases, only 67% of them reported routinely examining the oral cavity of their patients. A total of 53% classified the oral health content in their medical education as nonexistent and deficient and 94% reported that they would like to learn more about oral health.
Conclusions: Pediatricians should increase their knowledge of children’s oral health, and incorporate it into their daily practice. Oral health informations programmes should be developed for Tunisian pediatricians and included in Tunisian medical curricula and residency.