Oral health literacy: awareness and practices among pediatric dentists.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine pediatric dentists' awareness and experiences with oral health literacy and to identify communication techniques used with parents. METHODS: Active North American members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry were invited to participate in the survey. Descriptive statistical analyses were completed, and Pearson's chi-square crosstabs tests were used to compare categorical data between groups. RESULTS: Data were collected from 22 percent (N=1,059) of pediatric dentists; 68 to 87 percent use basic communication techniques routinely, while 36 to 79 percent routinely use enhanced communication techniques. Approximately 59 percent (N=620) reported having had an experience with health literacy miscommunication, while 11 percent (N=116) are aware of an error in patient care that resulted from oral health literacy miscommunication. Respondents who have had an experience with miscommunication were significantly more likely statistically to perceive barriers to effective communication as more significant than those without a history of miscommunication experience (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric dentists have experienced situations in which a parent has misunderstood information. Basic communication techniques were most commonly used, while enhanced communication techniques were used less routinely. Those who have had experience with oral health literacy miscommunication events perceive barriers to effective communication as more significant.

The stainless steel crown debate: friend or foe?

In this article, we will explore the use of the stainless steel crown (SSC) in dentistry today. For the pediatric population, many factors can affect the choice of restoration, such as the variations between primary and permanent tooth morphology, oral environment, and patient selection. The current literature and dentistry guidelines encourage dentists to make an informed decision when determining the restoration recommended for a carious primary molar. To further help educate dental providers on the topic of SSCs the following items will be reviewed: the indications; techniques for placement; advantages; and drawbacks when compared to alternative restorative materials. Regardless of personal opinion, the SSC should continue to be recognized for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and successful treatment modality.

General dentistry's role in the care for children with special needs: a review.

Children with special health care needs include those with behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, congenital or genetic disorders, or systemic disease. These conditions may place them at increased risk for oral diseases, making it important to establish preventive oral health strategies at an early age. These children should have an established dental home, through which preventive care can be initiated and maintained, by 12 months of age. Dentists can establish prevention-based care from a young age by understanding the child's condition and how that condition influences the delivery of oral health care. This article outlines common conditions among children with special needs, focuses on their influence on dental health, and describes how these conditions influence preventive, operative, surgical, and behavior management strategies. The goal is to provide an overview that will help guide practicing dentists to understand their role in the care of children with special health care needs.