Advocacy practices among U. S. pediatric dentists

Area of Science:

• Oral health policy
• Pediatric dentistry
• Public health advocacy

Background:

• Advocacy is a core mission of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
• Understanding member engagement in advocacy is crucial for the organization's mission.
• Previous data on AAPD member advocacy participation is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent of advocacy activities undertaken by AAPD members.
• To assess AAPD members' attitudes towards various advocacy-related actions.
• To identify factors influencing participation in dental advocacy.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 4,328 AAPD members.
• The questionnaire included 19 items covering demographics, training, attitudes, and advocacy practices.
• A total of 1,046 members responded, yielding a 25% response rate.

Main Results:

• 90% of respondents affirmed advocacy as a role for pediatric dentists.
• While two-thirds felt prepared, only 22% received advocacy training during residency.
• Clinical advocacy and local oral health promotion were common; political action and lobbying were less frequent.
• Pediatric dentists further from training and males reported higher advocacy participation.

Conclusions:

• AAPD members demonstrate strong support for the role of pediatric dentists in advocacy.
• Members engage in a diverse array of advocacy actions, with variations in participation levels.
• Opportunities exist to enhance advocacy training and participation among AAPD members.