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Indiana infant-toddler dental care survey
H Z Henderson1, J A Dean, E A Hatcher
1Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis.
Journal (Indiana Dental Association)
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Many Indiana dentists delay infant dental visits past age one, despite monthly cases of nursing caries. Most refer these young children to pediatric dentists, with treatment plan acceptance generally being successful.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) poses a significant oral health challenge for infants and toddlers.
- Timely dental interventions are crucial for preventing and managing ECC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey Indiana dentists regarding their practices for infant and toddler dental care.
- To assess dentists' perceptions of parental attitudes towards recommended dental services.
Main Methods:
- A twelve-question survey was mailed to 2006 general and pediatric dentists in Indiana.
- The survey addressed the age of the first dental visit, frequency of caries, referral patterns, and perceived parental acceptance of treatment plans.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of Indiana dentists recommend the first dental visit or examine children after one year of age.
- The majority of practitioners encounter nursing caries or rampant caries cases monthly.
- Most dentists refer children with nursing caries to pediatric dentists.
- Dentists generally report success in obtaining treatment plan acceptance for caries cases, despite potential parental concerns.
Conclusions:
- There is a notable delay in the recommended age for the first dental visit among Indiana infants and toddlers.
- Early childhood caries is prevalent, necessitating timely intervention and referral.
- Effective communication and treatment planning contribute to parental acceptance of dental care recommendations.