title: The need of paediatric dentistry specialists in Pakistan.
abstract: In the last decade, a rapid increase has been observed in the number of dentists due to establishment of a number of dental colleges in Pakistan. Very few of these institutions have Paediatric Dentistry Department. Similarly, no postgraduate Paediatric Dentistry training program exists in the two major provinces of the country. The objectives of this study were to map the pattern of paediatric dentistry services provided by the clinicians in teaching institutions and private practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted at dental departments of academic institutions and selected dental practices in Karachi. There was a statistically significant difference in preferences, selection of dental materials and pattern of paediatric dentistry services provided by the teaching dentists compared to the private practitioners. Both the teaching and non-teaching dentists need to update themselves in the provision of Paediatric Dentistry services such as fluoride application and fissure sealant placement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. farhan.raza@aku.edu
authors.forename: Farhan Raza
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Sadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.forename: Munawar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011331:Private Practice; D013038:Specialization; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult