Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pediatricians Regarding Early Childhood Caries and Infant’s Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Study.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master Degree of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University

2 Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry & Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University.

3 Lecturer of Pediatric Dentistry & Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of pediatricians regarding Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and Infant’ Oral Health (IOH).

Methodology: A total number of 141 pediatricians completed a structured closed-ended questionnaire composed of 30 closed-ended multiple-choice questions and divided into 4 sections as follows: Sociodemographic data, knowledge assessment questions, attitude assessment questions, and practice assessment questions. The questionnaire was presented in two forms: hard copies (printed forms) and online google forms. The collected data were statistically analyzed to assess the KAP of the participants regarding ECC and IOH.

Results: A significantly high percentage of the participants had good knowledge 133(94.3%) (p < 0.001), good attitude 134 (95.0%) (p < 0.001) and good practice level 90 (63.8%) (p=0.001) regarding ECC and IOH. There was no significant relation between the qualification and the level of knowledge (p=0.514), attitude (p=0.739), and practice regarding ECC and IOH (p=0.258). There was no significant relation between the years of experience and the level of knowledge (p=0.881), and practice (p=0.493). While the correlation with the attitude level was significant (p=0.017), with a significantly higher percentage of the respondents with good attitude having less than 5 years of experience 51 (98.1%) or having 5-10 years of experience 66 (97.1% ) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Pediatricians have an overall good KAP regarding ECC and IOH. There was a statistically significant correlation between the years of experience of the pediatricians and attitude level regarding ECC and IOH.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 68, Issue 4 - Serial Number 1
October (Orthodontics, Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry)
October 2022
Pages 3085-3095

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics