Assessment of an infant oral health education program on resident physician knowledge

The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the effect of an early childhood oral health education program given to physician residents at Columbia University Medical Center, New York City. It was hypothesized that a short training program in infant oral health would improve the oral health knowledge base of these future physicians and promote the age 1 dental visit.

A sample size of 92 physician residents participated in this study. A 1-hour seminar describing common dental findings, including poor oral hygiene and early childhood caries (ECC), was presented, and an identical 14 question pre- and post-test were completed. The pre- and post-tests were administered to all participants, and statistical differences between pre- and post-tests were calculated using a paired t-test (P <.05) and SAS 9.1 statistical software.

There was an average of 77% correct responses on the pre-test and 90% correct responses following instruction (n=92, P <.001), with a mean improvement in the scores of 2 questions on the post-test. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge base of residents on topics related to ECC and its prevention and fluorides.

A 1-hour seminar resulted in significantly improved post-test scores for physician residents about infant oral health.