Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Egyptian Pediatricians Towards Prevention of Oral and DentalDiseases in EgyptianChildren

Abstract

The past few decades had witnessed an increased focus on the importance of oral health on the social, psychological and developmental well-being of children. Although effective and advanced dental prevention measures and treatment options are increasingly available, dental decay remains one of the most common chronic childhood diseases around the world. One approach that has been suggested is the utilization of non-dental health professionals in assessing oral health, performing basic preventive steps and referral of highcaries risk children for further care. These non-dental professionals are often in a better position to evaluate children at an early age, are more likely to see poor children early and to provide care for them on a continuing basis when compared to dentists. However, several barriers have been mentioned in the study that prevent or deter these non-dental health professionals from taking on a more active role in this access to care issue. Of which, has been a reported lack in oral care education and training for medical care professionals. Additionally, collectively few studies have specifically identified the importance of different suggested influencing factors, so the aim of our study was to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices that a group of Egyptian pediatricians had towards basic dental information that can help in prevention of oral and dental diseases in Egyptian children. The present survey included 300 Egyptian Pediatricians selected from their private clinics using conventional sampling technique, the chosen pediatricians was requested to answer a pretested structured questionnaire, the survey included a set of core questions that cover Egyptian Pediatricians oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices toward oral health. The questionnaire was divided into 4 sections and comprised a series of questions pertaining to personal and demographic characteristics; knowledge regarding the risk factors of dental caries; attitude towards the prevention of oral diseases; management practices regarding preventive measures for oral diseases; and information regarding their knowledge about oral diseases. Appropriate bivariate and regression analysis methods were used to analyze the data. Collectively, the results led us to several main conclusions and future education recommendations which are: 1- Association between medical and dental societies should be established. 2- A well designed and standardized oral health training program should be provided in different medical schools in Egypt. 3- The oral health training program should be planned and provided through the integrated efforts of both pediatricians and pediatric dentistry post graduate course directors. 4- Conducting regular continuing dental education programs for pediatricians in all types of practice setting. 5- Publishing dental articles in the medical journals regarding infant oral health care and preventive guidelines should be implemented.