Survey of dental prophylaxes rendered by pediatric dentists in New England.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this anonymous postal survey was to assess the provision of dental prophylaxis by pediatric dentists in New England.


METHODS
The questionnaire survey was sent by first class mail in September, 2001 to all 217 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) members in active private practice in the six New England States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A self-addressed, stamped envelope was provided to facilitate the returned response.


RESULTS
The survey had a response rate of 70%. Most practitioners (93%) routinely recommended dental prophylaxis for their recall patients. The proportion of practitioners who considered the following indications for recommending dental prophylaxis was: plaque, stain, and/or calculus removal - 99%; caries prevention - 75%; prior to topical fluoride application - 82%; prior to sealant application - 58%; and for behavioral modification - 68%. Almost two thirds of the practitioners (62%) defined dental prophylaxis as referring to both rubber cup pumice prophylaxis as well as to toothbrush prophylaxis. However, only one in four practitioners (26%) had modified her/his clinical practice to substitute toothbrush prophylaxis in lieu of rubber cup pumice prophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric dentists in New England routinely provide dental prophylaxis to their recall patients.
Nainar
S M Hashim
SM
Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Redford-Badwal
Deborah A
DA
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009511:New England; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017640:Silicates; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000628:therapy; D014099:Toothbrushing
D017640:Silicates; C005144:pumice