ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to obtain information from practicing pediatric dentists about how they manage caries in children three years of age and younger and the problems they are encountering. METHODS: A survey mailed to a randomly selected sample of 1,000 members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) in January of 1997 asked them to: identify the types and extent of caries in the young age group; define and quantify methods used to manage caries; determine the representation of caries among different payer source groups; identify sources of information used in managing caries; and determine the criteria they use for assessing the success of different methods in managing caries. RESULTS: The response rate was 43%. Definitions of techniques of managing caries varied among practitioners, and the use of the methods differed for the different degrees of severity of caries. There was a significant relationship between the percentage of Medicaid in a practice and the percentage of children with caries and pulpal involvement. Personal experience/philosophy was most frequently identified as an important source among factors influencing treatment decisions and sources of information about managing. Criteria most frequently cited to determine effectiveness of treatment were "caries free at recall" (45%) and "stop progress of lesion" (30%). CONCLUSION: Practitioners use a variety of techniques to manage caries in the child < or = 3 years of age. Disease level and payer source factored heavily in their treatment decisions. Practitioners reported interest in receiving information and help from AAPD on the subject.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Dental Caries/therapy , Pediatric Dentistry , Practice Patterns, Dentists' , Adult , Age Factors , Cariostatic Agents/therapeutic use , Child, Preschool , Decision Making , Dental Care/economics , Dental Caries/classification , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Dental Caries Susceptibility , Dental Enamel/pathology , Dental Pulp/pathology , Dental Restoration, Permanent , Dentin/pathology , Education, Dental, Continuing , Female , Fluorides, Topical/therapeutic use , Glass Ionomer Cements , Humans , Infant , Insurance, Dental/economics , Male , Medicaid/economics , Middle Aged , Philosophy, Dental , Practice Patterns, Dentists'/classification , Risk Assessment , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome , United StatesABSTRACT
A questionnaire addressing practice issues in dentistry and members' expectations of component society activities was sent to members of the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (N = 269). Response rate was 73%. Respondents were not in full agreement with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendation that children first be seen at 12 months, though younger and childless dentists had significantly greater agreement than those who were older and had children. Strong disapproval of proposed independent practice for hygienists was expressed, and strong support was given for assistants to perform coronal polishing and apply sealants. Three-fourths of respondents treat Medicaid patients. In evaluating the role of the component society, respondents--especially women--unanimously affirmed the responsibility of keeping dentists abreast of current information, but also expressed strong support for maintaining relationships with outside groups and representing member views on issues of health care reform. Based on the diffusion theory of communication, a program of proactive public relations is recommended for the first-visit issue.
