Pediatricians' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Infant Oral Health: A Pretest and Posttest Intervention Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Health Education

Background:

• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a major public health concern in India, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged children.
• Global prevalence of ECC affects approximately 23% of children aged 2-4 years.
• Factors influencing ECC include diet, hygiene, cultural norms, and access to dental care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess pediatricians' knowledge and practices regarding infant oral health and ECC in India.
• To identify challenges and opportunities for improving pediatric oral health outcomes.
• To evaluate the impact of educational interventions on pediatricians' understanding of ECC.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional pretest and posttest study design was employed.
• Questionnaires were used to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge before and after educational interventions.
• Cronbach's alpha (α=0.95) confirmed high internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Pediatricians demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge of infant oral health and ECC following the educational interventions.
• The study successfully measured changes in knowledge levels post-training.

Conclusions:

• Targeted educational interventions are vital for addressing knowledge gaps among pediatricians concerning infant oral health and ECC.
• Empowering pediatricians enhances early intervention and preventive strategies, improving oral health outcomes for children in India and globally.
• Collaborative efforts are essential for advancing pediatric oral healthcare.