ABSTRACT

Aim:

One of the main objectives of dentistry is maintenance of oral health and prevention of diseases. Evidence increasingly suggests that for successful prevention of caries, preventive interactions must begin within the first year of life. Pediatricians are well positioned to begin this process with an early assessment of oral health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge of pediatricians about oral and dental health.

Materials and Methods:

The questionnaire prepared was applied to pediatricians working in Aydın and Izmir. A total of 256 surveys were distributed to the pediatricians working in Dr. Behçet Uz Children’s Disease and Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydın Maternity and Children Hospital. 100 surveys, which were fully filled and returned, were included to the study.

Results:

Pediatricians’ knowledge about oral and dental health was found to be moderate. The evaluation showed that 61% of pediatricians reported that a 3-month old baby living in a nonfluoridated area needed flouride supplementation. 66% of the respondents did not have information about fissure sealants.

Conclusion:

Knowledge of pediatricians regarding preventive dentistry applications was found to be inadequate.