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Background: Primary precautionary approaches for oral health is an essential tool concerning public health, as dental caries is one of the eminently prevailing chronic diseases among children across the globe. As pediatricians and pediatric healthcare professionals are more likely to encounter children when compared to general dentists, it is crucial for them to be acquainted with possible risk factors and diseases occurring in early childhood. Therefore, it is highly advocated to take necessary steps at an initial stage to help promote pragmatic results during childhood and succeeding adulthood phases. Objectives: The pediatrician's attitude toward dental health and his dental screening, counseling, and referral practices. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study in the Hyderabad district, following area sampling on a sample of 200 child healthcare professionals, as calculated based on a pilot study. A definitive and validated questionnaire was used for the collection of data, and pediatric health professionals were approached in their workplaces. Results: About 44.5% of pediatricians usually check teeth during routine tongue and throat examinations. Around 59.5% of them suspect cavities when the child looks undernourished. A total of >80% of them voted that oral health cannot be neglected, as it is an integral part of a child's general health and dental screening, and referral at regular intervals of time is their responsibility. Only 8.5% advised fluoridated toothpaste, whereas only 62.5% counseled parents on the dental ill effects of nighttime bottle-feeding and digit sucking. Conclusion: Although all the pediatricians had appropriate attitudes toward oral health, they were not put into action by many. Dental public health significance: Pediatricians play a vital role as potential partners in the oral health promotion of children and their families. A pediatric primary care provider's regular screening, counseling, and referral would help his/her patients in getting the right treatment done at the right time. How to cite this article: Reddy SM, Shaik N, Pudi S, et al. Assessing the Pediatricians' Role in Improving Young Children's Oral Health in Telangana State: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(5):591-595.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Standard of living and quality of life of people has been improved by the expanding industrial activity, but at the other end it has created many occupational hazards. Coal mining is one of the major age old industries throughout the world and in India. Till date very less literature is available worldwide and in India concerning the oral health status of laborers in this field. AIM: To assess the oral health status of underground coal mine workers, oral hygiene practices, alcohol and tobacco habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the underground coal mine workers of a coal mine located in Adilabad district, Telangana, according to the criteria described in the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form (2013). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were done. RESULTS: A total of 356 workers participated in the study. Ninety percent of the subjects were with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. Dental caries was prevalent in more than half (55.6%) of the study subjects with a mean DMFT of 2.32±2.99. About 48.3% study subjects were with untreated dental caries and 20.3% subjects were with missing teeth. DMFT ≤=6 was seen in 45.5% of subjects and 10.1% have DMFT scores ≥=7. Periodontal disease was the most prevalent condition seen in the population with 94.4% subjects having unhealthy periodontium in terms of gingival bleeding and/or periodontal pockets. About 186 (52.25%) and 145 (40.73%) of subjects were with 0-3mm and 4-5mm loss of attachment respectively. Fourteen percent of population showed dental traumatic injuries. CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted the high caries prevalence, higher periodontal disease, traumatic injuries which requires immediate intervention.
