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Revista Portuguesa de Estomatologia, Medicina Dentária e Cirurgia Maxilofacial
Print version ISSN 1646-2890On-line version ISSN 1647-6700
Abstract
MENESES, Kelly Chrystine Barbosa; FRANCA, Glória Maria de; FERREIRA, Sonia Maria Soares and NOBREGA, Diego Figueiredo. Oral health and oral lesions in children: assessment of pediatricians’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes. Rev Port Estomatol Med Dent Cir Maxilofac [online]. 2023, vol.64, n.1, pp.42-49. Epub Mar 31, 2023. ISSN 1646-2890. https://doi.org/10.24873/j.rpemd.2023.03.1049.
Objectives:
The study aimed to evaluate the pediatrician’s knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding oral health promotion, oral care, caries, and oral lesions in children.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out with pediatricians from the State of Alagoas, Brazil. Data were collected between March and June 2019 through a questionnaire answered by 134 pediatricians.
Results:
Although 91% of the sample reported that they recommended starting toothbrushing after the first tooth eruption, only 10.4% recommended using toothpaste based on evidence (containing at least 1000 ppm of fluoride). Regarding dietary advice, 71% of the sample admitted warning about excessive consumption of sugary foods, but only 28.4% recognized sucrose (cane sugar) as the most cariogenic carbohydrate in the diet. Most of the sample (59.7%) claimed to recognize the first signs of caries, although only 10% classified the presence of white spots as an early sign of the disease.
Conclusions:
Pediatricians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral health are essential to guide their clinical conduct based on scientific evidence.
Keywords : Knowledge; Oral manifestations; Pediatrics; Oral health.
