title: Knowledge, attitude, willingness and readiness of primary health care providers to provide oral health services to children in Niagara, Ontario: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most children are exposed to medical, but not dental, care at an early age, making primary health care providers an important player in the reduction of tooth decay. The goal of this research was to understand the feasibility of using primary health care providers in promoting oral health by assessing their knowledge, attitude, willingness and readiness in this regard.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Dillman method, a mail-in cross-sectional survey was conducted among all family physicians and pediatricians in the Niagara region of Ontario who have primary contact with children. A descriptive analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Close to 70% (181/265) of providers responded. More than 90% know that untreated tooth decay could affect the general health of a child. More than 80% examine the oral cavity for more than 50% of their child patients. However, more than 50% are not aware that white spots or lines on the tooth surface are the first signs of tooth decay. Lack of clinical time was the top reason for not performing oral disease prevention measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, survey responses show a positive attitude and willingness to engage in the oral health of children. To capitalize on this, there is a need to identify mechanisms of providing preventive oral health care services by primary health care providers; including improving their knowledge of oral health and addressing other potential barriers.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Sonica
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dupuis
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skellet
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wincott
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry (Singhal, Figueiredo, Quiñonez), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Niagara Region Public Health (Dupuis, Skellet, Dyer, Feller), Thorold, Ont.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quiñonez