Early childhood tooth decay. Pediatric interventions.
Pediatricians in the greater Chicago area were surveyed to probe their awareness and approaches to management of dental caries in early childhood. A total of 298 pediatricians (21% of those surveyed) responded to the questionnaire. Ninety-five percent of the respondents stated they examined their patients' teeth; 85% considered dental examinations part of their responsibility for children under 3 years of age. However, our data suggest that many pediatricians are unaware of the decay and the dietary patterns associated with tooth decay in early childhood. Although 96% of the respondents referred patients to a dentist when decay was diagnosed, analysis of diet and dietary counseling were performed by only 61% and 65% of the respondents, respectively. Recommendations for preventive measures that can be adopted by pediatricians are offered.
Schulte
J R
JR
Department of Restorative and Preventive Dentistry, Loyola University Chicago School of Dentistry, Maywood, IL 60153.
Druyan
M E
ME
Hagen
J C
JC
D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002641:Chicago; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004037:Diet, Cariogenic; D004522:Educational Status; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002326:Cariogenic Agents