ABSTRACT
Results of a 1981 survey of randomly selected primary care physicians with pediatric patients were compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in 1978. In general, the 1981 survey respondents were more knowledgeable on the subject of fluoride and dental caries, had more positive attitudes about the effectiveness of fluoride supplementation, were more likely to prescribe fluoride supplements, and more closely followed the current guidelines for appropriate use of fluoride supplements. An intensive, multifaceted educational program on fluoride and childhood dental caries sponsored by the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, which started shortly after the first survey, may have contributed to these changes.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Education, Medical, Continuing , Fluorides/administration & dosage , Pediatrics , Physicians, Family , Child , Fluoridation , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Sampling Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Local physicians and dentists can support community water fluoridation programs by responding effectively to the polemic of antifluoridationists. Written and audiovisual materials are available to assist in this effort. Four case histories and discussion illustrate how health care professionals can play an important role in the prevention of dental caries by working on behalf of community water fluoridation.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/prevention & control , Fluoridation , Health Occupations , Politics , Child , Health Education, Dental , Humans , Michigan , MississippiABSTRACT
The most cost-effective dental prevention occurs during infancy and childhood. The family physician, therefore, has a vital role in the prevention of dental caries by monitoring fluoride intake and being alert to the need for fluoride supplementation. Breast mild does not contain fluoride.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/prevention & control , Fluorides, Topical/therapeutic use , Physician's Role , Role , Child , Child, Preschool , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Dental Caries/economics , Female , Fluoridation , Fluorides, Topical/administration & dosage , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , PregnancyABSTRACT
We present the results of a survey to determine how physicians prescribe fluoride supplements for their child patients. A questionnaire was mailed to a representative nationwide sample of 2,604 physicians who treat children. The response rate of completed returns was 49.4%. Results showed that while most respondents prescribed fluoride appropriately, there was some inappropriate prescribing for children receiving fluoridated water. Some physicians also neglected to prescribe for children who were not receiving fluoridated water. Previous differences in recommended schedules of administration between the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association may have led to some of these problems. However, these two organizations have now standardized their recommendations.
Subject(s)
Fluorides/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Bottle Feeding , Breast Feeding , Child , Child, Preschool , Diet Surveys , Drug Prescriptions , Female , Fluorides/administration & dosage , Health Promotion , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Physicians , United StatesSubject(s)
Dental Caries/prevention & control , Fluoridation , Age Factors , Dentition , Fluorides/metabolism , Humans , Prospective Studies , Tooth, DeciduousABSTRACT
A ten-year longitudinal prospective study compared the effect of fluoride on dentition of 1,500 children from infancy through age 10 years. In Kalamazoo, Mich, and Oneida, NY, parallel groups were given a fluoride-vitamin supplement from infancy and from age 4 and compared with fluoridated water and control groups. Incidence of new caries activity in both deciduous and permanent teeth was measured by mean number of new decayed and filled teeth, as well as percentage of children with no caries throughout the periods studied. Prevalence of caries was also studied in six-year molars. The results indicate a consistent (and, for selected groups, a statistically significant) diminution in caries activity for both deciduous and permanent teeth for groups ranked from greatest retardation of caries to least: infant fluoride group, water fluoride group, age 4 fluoride group, and controls.
