Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
An Assessment of Pediatric Primary Care Providers' and Parents' Dental Health Knowledge and Practices
Sara B Phillips1, Olivia W May2, Catanya G Stager3
1Sara B. Phillips, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL..
Introduction:
One in five children aged < 5 years has experienced caries, making it the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood. The failure to address a child's dental health can lead to short-term and long-term complications and problems with permanent dentition. Primary care pediatric providers are in the position to participate in the prevention of caries because of the frequency they see young children before establishing a dental home.
Method:
A retrospective chart review and two surveys were developed to collect data from health care providers and parents of children aged < 6 years about their dental health knowledge and practices.
Results:
While providers report being comfortable discussing dental health with patients, review of medical records shows inconsistent discussion and documentation of dental health.
Discussion:
There appears to be a lack of education regarding dental health among parents and health care providers. Primary care providers are not effectively communicating the importance of childhood dental health and are not routinely documenting dental health information.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...