title: Knowledge of paediatricians regarding child oral health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In dentistry, clinical practice is directed towards attitudes that promote oral health and the paediatricians occupy a privileged position in this process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the knowledge and attitudes of paediatricians in relation to the oral health of their patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil. A total of 182 paediatricians participated by filling out a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 63.9% believed the first visit to the dentist should occur before the child completes 1 year of life. Moreover, 67.8% considered their knowledge on oral health to be insufficient. Approximately 78% of the paediatricians diagnosed caries through an analysis of cavities. Only 29.9% always recommended fluoride dentifrice. The term 'fluorosis' was unknown by 48.3% of the respondents. Concerning pacifiers, 32.6% did not allow it and 66.9% did not either recommend it or restrict it. A total of 83.4% classified the oral health content in their medical education as either nonexistent or deficient; this figure remained high (72.4%) in relation to residency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to develop oral health information programmes to paediatricians. Information on oral health should be included in medical curricula and residency.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. raquelbalaban@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balaban
authors.forename: Carlos Menezes
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: da Silva Araújo
authors.forename: Edmir Barros Ribeiro
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Dias Filho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D041361:Pacifiers; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D005459:Fluorides